post written by a retired solicitor advocate
You have finally reached an agreement.
The house is sorted.
You know who is keeping the savings.
You have agreed what happens to the pensions.
You may even have transferred money.
And you are relieved.
No more arguments.
No more negotiations.
No more divorce lawyers.
You think it is finished.
But is it?
Because one of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming that agreeing the finances means their financial claims have ended.
It does not necessarily mean that at all.
Divorce Does Not Automatically End Financial Claims
This surprises people.
They think that once the final order of divorce has been granted, everything is finished.
But divorce legally ends the marriage.
It does not automatically dismiss the financial claims arising from it.
And if those claims have not been properly dealt with, you may face problems in the future.
Even if you reached an agreement years earlier.
Even if you have both moved on.
Even if you thought everything was settled.
That is why a properly drafted financial consent order is so important.
What Is a Consent Order?
A consent order is a court order recording the financial agreement reached between you.
Once approved by the court, it can make that agreement legally binding and enforceable.
It can deal with property.
Lump sums.
Pensions.
Spousal maintenance.
And the dismissal of future financial claims.
But the wording matters.
A poorly drafted order can create difficulties.
And a judge does not simply approve everything because both parties have signed it.
The court must be satisfied that the proposed financial arrangements are appropriate.
What If You Agreed Everything in Mediation?
Mediation can be an excellent way to resolve financial disputes.
But the agreement reached through mediation is not, by itself, a binding financial court order.
You still need to take the appropriate steps to formalise it.
And before you do that, you need to understand what you are agreeing to.
Particularly where there are pensions, property transfers, maintenance or a proposed clean break.
Be Careful With DIY Documents
I am all for keeping legal costs down.
That is why I provide affordable guides and independent legal advice.
But there is a difference between saving money and taking unnecessary risks.
You can find consent order templates online.
You can ask AI to draft one.
You can copy wording from another case.
But does it deal with your particular financial circumstances?
Does it achieve the outcome you intend?
Are the obligations clear?
Have future claims been properly considered?
These are not questions to ignore.
How I Can Help
My £20 Consent Order Guide explains the process, the documents, common mistakes and the issues you need to understand before submitting an agreement to court.
But if you are unsure whether your proposed settlement is reasonable, or whether it protects your financial position, you may need individual advice.
That is where my Strategy Call comes in.
We can discuss the proposed agreement.
Your financial circumstances.
The risks.
And the matters you need to consider before proceeding.
Afterwards, you receive written advice setting out the next steps.
Final Thought
Do not spend months negotiating a financial settlement only to create problems by failing to finalise it properly.
Divorce should allow you to move forward.
Not leave you wondering whether your ex could make further claims years later.
Get my £20 Consent Order Guide to understand the process.
Or book a £195 Strategy Call with written advice afterwards if you want help understanding your own financial position.
Because the whole point of reaching a settlement is to achieve certainty.
Make sure you actually get it. legal advice about separation, infidelity, or divorce?
for straightforward, strategic advice from a former solicitor advocate.