What is a D81 form?

It’s officially called the “Statement of Information for a Consent Order” and is used in financial remedy proceedings in England and Wales. The court uses it to review your complete financial information before approving a monetary settlement.

Why Do I Need One?

You’re required to complete Form D81 if you’re seeking a consent order, which will make your financial agreement legally binding. The court requires complete disclosure of assets, income, debts, pensions and future needs: no financial disclosures, no approval.

Do I Have To Complete A D81 Form?

  • Yes, if you’re applying for any form of financial remedy order by consent during divorce.
  • Even if you’re not divorced yet, but you want to finalise a financial agreement (like maintenance or asset division), you’ll still likely need it.
  • It applies in civil partnership dissolutions and any formal financial remedies process.

What Does The D81 Cover?

  1. Personal details – you and your ex, children, addresses
  2. Current capital & income – bank accounts, property values, pensions, earnings, benefits
  3. Proposed sharing – how assets/income split post-agreement
  4. Future needs – housing, childcare, spousal maintenance, education
  5. Pensions – valuation, contributions, sharing agreements
  6. Other info – property transfers, new relationships, mortgage lender notifications.

What Is An Example Of A Completed D81 Form Like?

When you’re trying to complete the D81, it helps to know what a solid version looks like.

A well-prepared D81 form provides the court with a clear picture of both parties’ financial positions before and after the proposed financial settlement.

Here’s a breakdown of what you’d typically see in a completed form:

Line 8 – Capital before the agreement

This shows the total assets each person holds before the split.

Example:

  • Applicant: £125,000 in property equity + £20,000 in savings
  • Respondent: £80,000 in property equity + £10,000 in an ISA

Line 10 – Capital after the agreement

This shows how assets are to be divided.

Example:

  • Applicant: £90,000 in new property equity (after selling the marital home)
  • Respondent: £120,000 (retaining the house and 60% of pension assets)

Line 11 – Income after the agreement

Helps the court understand how each party will support themselves in the future.

Example:

  • Applicant: £1,200 salary + £300 spousal maintenance per month
  • Respondent: £2,800 salary per month

Line 12 – Future financial needs

This section outlines expected costs, support arrangements, and any responsibilities.

Example narrative:

“The applicant will remain the primary carer for two children aged 7 and 10, covering school and childcare costs. A spousal maintenance agreement of £300/month is in place for the next 5 years. The respondent will retain the marital home and continue to make mortgage payments. Neither party has remarried or entered a new cohabiting relationship.”

Final section – Statement of truth

Each party signs to confirm that the financial disclosures are accurate and complete. Any false or missing info can lead to serious legal consequences and may invalidate the consent order.

How to fill out the D81 form step-by-step

  1. Gather docs – bank statements, pensions, valuations, debts, mortgage, payslips, tax returns.
  2. Use UK currency – all values in pounds, note dates (e.g. as of 31 May 2025).
  3. Be honest – it’s a legally binding statement of information. Hidden assets = risk of contempt.
  4. Populate each section – capital, income, assets, and liabilities with accurate figures.
  5. Detail your financial position and future needs, including items such as maintenance and education.
  6. Sign your statement of truth at the end to complete form D81.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip it if we worked it out informally?

No. Even if it’s a friendly separation, the court still needs the D81 form divorce to make orders.

What if things change after we submit?

You must fully disclose changes. If you discover new information later, the court may reopen financial consent orders.

What if I’m concerned about being penalised for an unfair split?

If you’re honest and transparent, it’s unlikely. However, deliberately underreporting income or assets may result in serious consequences, including fines or contempt of court.

How the D81 fits into financial remedy proceedings

The statement of information for a consent order is one step in the financial disclosure journey:

  1. D81 – high‑level info
  2. Form E – full disclosure (if proceedings need more detail)
  3. Negotiation or mediation
  4. Draft and submit a consent order
  5. The court reviews the D81 and supporting documents.
  6. The order is approved and becomes legally binding.

Why do complete and accurate financial disclosures matter?

  • They protect you: fewer risks of future financial disputes.
  • Courts can approve financial arrangements more quickly.
  • Inaccuracies may lead to orders being rescinded.
  • UK stats show 7 % increase in financial remedy applications in late 2024 (11,868 cases)
  • Financial remedy court battles are on the rise, with 10,300 contest cases in 2024, nearly double the number in 2023.

What is a Form D81 divorce vs a Form E?

The D81 form is explicitly used when both parties agree on their financial arrangements and wish to formalise them with a consent order. It provides the court with a summary of each person’s financial position, including income, property, savings, debts, and pensions, and demonstrates that the deal is fair and equitable.

If you’re going through contested proceedings or require a more detailed financial disclosure, you’ll use Form E instead. That’s the longer, more in-depth document.

However, if you both agree and require the court’s approval of your deal, Form D81 divorce paperwork is typically sufficient, provided it’s completed clearly and honestly.

Tips on completing the D81

  • Be consistent – values before and after the split must match.
  • Clarify reasoning – explain why your settlement is fair for the court.
  • List all liabilities – loans, credit cards, vehicle finance.
  • Include new relationships – the court wants transparency.
  • Timestamp everything – “As at 31 May 2025” for accuracy.

What’s next once D81 is submitted?

  1. Review it along with your proposed consent order
  2. If everything’s clear, the court issues a financial consent order.
  3. That order turns your agreement into legally binding obligations.

No court-issued order = no legal enforceability.

The Bigger Picture: Protecting Your Financial Future

Divorce doesn’t just end a relationship; it significantly alters your entire financial setup, often for years to come.

On average, women’s income drops by around 50% after a divorce. For men, the rate is closer to 30% in the first year. And here’s the kicker, pensions often get missed completely, leaving divorcing women short by an average of £77,000 in retirement savings.

That’s why the D81 form matters. The court uses your D81 statement of information to check whether your financial settlement is fair, especially when it comes to long-term stuff like housing, childcare, and pensions.

Appropriately done, Form D81 lays out both sides’ financial position clearly: what you own, what you earn, and what you’ll need going forward. That transparency helps the court approve your consent order and make your financial agreements legally binding. It also protects you from arguments or unexpected claims later on.

This step is crucial for women, who are statistically more likely to miss out on pensions or long-term support. Getting the D81 right helps safeguard your future financial stability.

So no—it’s not just a bit of paperwork. It’s the foundation of your post-divorce financial life. Get it right, and you’re giving yourself the best chance to move forward securely.

Why Legal Advice Helps with Form D81

Pensions are often missed during divorce, yet they can be worth more than the family home. A solicitor ensures these and other key assets aren’t overlooked.

You also need to present a clear picture of your future financial situation, not just current figures.

Legal professionals can advise on spousal maintenance, identify gaps in your financial disclosure, and help you avoid disputes later. Done right, the D81 form supports a fair and legally binding settlement. Mistakes can delay or derail your consent order; getting it right the first time matters.

Need help completing Form D81 or navigating your Statement of Information?

We at Holland Family Law in Leicester specialise in family law and support clients across the UK including Derby, Nottingham, Northampton, Lincoln, Loughborough and Birmingham.

We’re here to help you navigate the law with confidence. We’ll guide you through financial remedies, spousal maintenance, and consent orders, ensuring your financial settlement is fair, complete, and legally binding.

Book your Free No-Obligation 30-minute consultation today – Expert Legal Support is just a call away.

Reach us on0116 4362170 or atclaire@hollandfamilylaw.co.uk