A financial consent order is a legally binding agreement that sets out how you and your ex-partner will divide money, property, pensions, and debts after divorce or separation. It gives both parties certainty and finality, preventing future financial claims and avoiding lengthy court battles.

Below you’ll find a copy-and-paste template, plus practical guidance on what details to include so your order is clear, enforceable, and ready for court approval.

Financial Consent Order Template

IN THE FAMILY COURT AT [Insert Court Name]

Case Number: [Insert Case Number]

BETWEEN:

[Full Name of Applicant]
Applicant

and

[Full Name of Respondent]
Respondent

CONSENT ORDER

UPON the parties having reached agreement in full and final settlement of all financial claims arising from their marriage/civil partnership

BY CONSENT IT IS ORDERED THAT:

1. The property at [insert address] shall be transferred to [Applicant/Respondent] on or before [insert date].
   
   

2. The Applicant shall pay to the Respondent the sum of £[insert amount] by [insert date], in full and final settlement of all claims for capital, income, and pension sharing.
   
   

3. The parties shall each retain their respective personal possessions, savings, and investments not otherwise dealt with in this order.
   
   

4. The parties shall each be responsible for their own debts incurred after [insert date].
   
   

5. All claims for financial provision, property adjustment, pension sharing, and lump sum orders by either party against the other are dismissed, and neither party shall make any further application in relation to their marriage/civil partnership under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 or Civil Partnership Act 2004.
   
   

6. There shall be no order as to costs.
   
   

SIGNED:

Applicant

Respondent

Date: ________________

Details to consider

• Property Transfer:

  • Full address of the property

  • Who will receive the property

  • Date by which the transfer must happen
    
    

• Lump Sum Payments:
  
  

  • Exact amount to be paid

  • Who will pay and who will receive

  • Payment deadline
    
    

• Pension Sharing:

  • Name of pension provider

  • Percentage or amount to be transferred

  • Any deadlines or conditions
    
    

• Debts:

  • List any joint debts and who will be responsible

  • State that each party is responsible for their own future debts
    
    

• Dismissal of Future Claims:

  • Make it clear that all financial claims are dismissed

  • Reference the relevant law (Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 or Civil Partnership Act 2004)
    
    

• Signatures and Dates:

  • Both parties must sign and date the order
    
    

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing or incorrect details: Even a small error—such as a misspelled name, wrong address, or outdated account number—can cause the court to reject your order or delay approval. Double-check every detail, especially where there are multiple properties or accounts.
  
  

• Leaving out assets, debts, or income: It’s a common misconception that only major assets need to be listed. Every property, savings account, investment, business interest, or loan—no matter how small or who “uses” it—should be included. Omitting something, even by accident, can lead to the order being set aside later or further claims being made.
  
  

• Vague or unrealistic payment terms: Orders that say “as soon as possible” or “when the house sells” without a clear deadline or fallback plan often lead to disputes. Specify exact amounts, payment methods, and dates. If a property is to be sold, set out what happens if it doesn’t sell by a certain date.
  
  

• Overlooking pensions or future entitlements: Pensions are often the largest asset after the family home. Failing to include them, or being unclear about the provider, value, or percentage to be shared, is a frequent source of problems. If you’re unsure, get a current statement and specify exactly what is to happen.
  
  

• Not providing supporting evidence: The court expects to see evidence for property values, mortgage balances, pension values, and debts. In high-conflict cases, the other party may challenge your figures, so attach up-to-date statements and valuations to avoid disputes.

• Assuming verbal agreements are enough: The court can only approve what’s written in the order. Side agreements or informal understandings about future payments, maintenance, or asset division are not enforceable unless included in the order.
  
  

• Forgetting the clean break: If you want to prevent future claims, the order must clearly state that all financial claims are dismissed under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. Without this, either party could return to court years later.
  
  

• Not addressing what happens if things go wrong: In more litigious situations, it’s wise to include what happens if a party doesn’t comply—such as interest on late payments, or who pays costs if enforcement is needed.
  
  

• Failing to consider tax or practical consequences: Transfers of property, sale of assets, or pension sharing can have tax implications or practical hurdles. If in doubt, check how these will be handled and make sure the order reflects any necessary steps.

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• Detailed example:

• IN THE FAMILY COURT AT MANCHESTER

  Case Number: 12345678

  BETWEEN:
  Sarah Jane Smith (Applicant)
  and
  David John Smith (Respondent)

• 
  

  CONSENT ORDER

  UPON the parties having reached agreement in full and final settlement of all financial claims arising from their marriage

  BY CONSENT IT IS ORDERED THAT:

  1. The former matrimonial home at 12 Oak Avenue, Manchester, M1 2AB, currently valued at £600,000 with an outstanding mortgage of £250,000, shall be transferred to the Applicant, Sarah Jane Smith, who will be solely responsible for the mortgage from the date of transfer. The transfer shall be completed by 1 December 2025.
     
     

  2. The Airbnb property at 22 City View Apartments, Manchester, M3 4CD, currently valued at £350,000 with an outstanding mortgage of £100,000, shall be transferred to the Respondent, David John Smith, who will be solely responsible for the mortgage from the date of transfer. The transfer shall be completed by 1 December 2025.
     
     

  3. The bedsit at 5A Green Lane, Salford, M6 7EF, currently valued at £120,000 with no mortgage, shall be sold. The net sale proceeds, after payment of any selling costs and outstanding liabilities, shall be divided equally between the Applicant and the Respondent.

  4. The Respondent, David John Smith, shall pay to the Applicant a lump sum of £75,000 by 1 January 2026, in full and final settlement of all claims for capital, income, and pension sharing.
     
     

  5. The Applicant shall retain her personal savings of £25,000 held with Barclays Bank and her workplace pension with ABC Pensions (current value £120,000).
     
     

  6. The Respondent shall retain his personal savings of £10,000 held with HSBC and his workplace pension with XYZ Pensions (current value £90,000).
     
     

  7. The parties’ joint credit card debt of £8,000 with NatWest shall be paid equally, with each party responsible for £4,000.
     
     

  8. Each party shall be responsible for any debts incurred in their sole name after 1 September 2025.
     
     

  9. All claims for financial provision, property adjustment, pension sharing, and lump sum orders by either party against the other are dismissed, and neither party shall make any further application in relation to their marriage under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973.

  10. There shall be no order as to costs.
      
      

  SIGNED:
  Sarah Jane Smith
  David John Smith

  Date: ________________

  
  
  
  

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