Full legal names as they appear on the divorce petition
🏠
What are the current addresses?
Residential addresses for both parties
💍
When did you get married?
Marriage and divorce proceedings details
📋
Has decree nisi been granted?
First stage of the divorce decree
✅
Yes, Granted
⏳
Not Yet
ℹ️ Financial settlements can be agreed before decree nisi, but the consent order can only be approved after decree nisi is granted.
🏡
What happens to the family home?
Property transfer or sale arrangements
💷
Sale and Division
🔀
Transfer to One Party
⏰
Mesher Order
👶
Martin Order
❌
No Property
Mesher Order: Sale deferred until youngest child reaches 18 or finishes education. Martin Order: One party lives there until death, remarriage, or cohabitation.
📍
Property details
Address and division arrangements
👤
To Party 1
👤
To Party 2
📈
How are pensions being divided?
Pension sharing or offsetting arrangements
➗
Pension Sharing Order
⚖️
Pension Offsetting
🔗
Pension Attachment
❌
No Pensions
⚠️ Pensions are often worth more than the family home. Don't overlook them or accept informal arrangements - pension sharing requires a court order.
💼
Pension details
Specific pension arrangements
💰
Is there a lump sum payment?
One-off capital payment between parties
✅
Yes
❌
No
💵
How are savings and investments divided?
Bank accounts, ISAs, stocks, bonds, etc.
💡 List each account/investment and specify who keeps it or how it's divided.
🏢
Are there any business interests?
Company shares, partnerships, sole traders
✅
Yes
❌
No
⚠️ Get professional valuations for business interests to ensure fair settlements.
📊
How are debts being allocated?
Mortgages, loans, credit cards
⚠️ Important: Creditors can pursue either party for joint debts regardless of your agreement. Each party should indemnify the other against debts they're responsible for.
🚗
Division of personal property
Vehicles, furniture, valuables
💸
Spousal maintenance arrangements
Ongoing financial support or clean break
✂️
Clean Break
£
Nominal (£1/year)
💰
Ongoing Payments
💡 Clean break is the cleanest approach. Nominal maintenance (£1/year) keeps the door open for future variation if circumstances change dramatically.
👶
Child financial arrangements
Child maintenance and additional support
✅
Yes
❌
No
💡 CMS (Child Maintenance Service) handles statutory child support. Courts can order additional "top-up" payments for school fees, university costs, etc.
🛡️
Life insurance requirements?
Protection in case of death before implementation
✅
Yes
❌
No
💼
Tax liability allocation
CGT, income tax responsibilities
⚠️ Capital Gains Tax: Transfers between spouses before decree absolute are CGT-free. After decree absolute, CGT may apply. Timing matters!
⏱️
Implementation timeline
Deadlines for completing the settlement
💡 "Time is of the essence" means deadlines are legally binding. Be realistic but specific.
✂️
Clean break provisions
Dismissal of future financial claims
✅
Full Clean Break
💰
Capital Only
⏳
Deferred
Full: No future claims for capital or income. Capital Only: No capital claims but maintenance door left open. Deferred: Clean break triggered by future event (e.g., youngest child turns 18).
⚖️
Legal advice status
Independent legal guidance received
✅
Both Parties
👤
Party 1 Only
👤
Party 2 Only
❌
Neither Party
⚠️ Courts strongly recommend independent legal advice for both parties, especially for complex settlements. This agreement is not a substitute for legal advice.