Does the divorce itself sort out our money?

No. The divorce ends the marriage. Money, property, pensions and debts are dealt with separately, either by an agreement between you or by a financial order made by the court. Getting divorced does not by itself end financial claims between you.

In what order do things happen?

Divorce application, then the conditional order, then your financial agreement can be approved by the court, then the final order ends the marriage. Many people apply for a financial order between the conditional order and the final order, but it can also be done after the divorce.

How much does the divorce cost in total?

£159 per person to CalmSplit as a one-off fee, plus the HMCTS court fee of £628 paid directly to the court. You may be able to apply for Help with Fees for the court fee.

Can CalmSplit advise me on what I should agree?

No. CalmSplit is a self-help technology platform and is not a firm of solicitors, so we do not give advice on what your financial settlement should be. If you want advice on that, we can refer you to an independent solicitor.

Ending your marriage

The divorce itself. CalmSplit, £159 per person.

Sorting your finances

Property, pensions, savings and debts. A separate process.

These two processes are connected but separate. Your divorce does not by itself decide who keeps what.

Can I divorce before sorting finances?

Written by CalmSplit Editorial TeamReviewed by Ramani GillLast reviewed 13 August 2026England & Wales

Yes. You do not need your finances agreed to start, or even to complete, your divorce. The divorce application asks nothing about your money. Most people start the divorce first, because it takes at least 26 weeks, and sort the finances alongside it.

If you have already decided you want the divorce, there is no reason to wait. CalmSplit prepares and manages the divorce for a one-off £159 per person, and your financial arrangements are dealt with separately and at your own pace.

The divorce application does not ask about money, property or debts
The 26-week minimum runs whether or not finances are agreed
Finances are settled separately, usually recorded in a consent order

CalmSplit fee

£159one-off, per person

One-off CalmSplit fee. HMCTS court fees are paid separately to the court.

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Start free. £159 one-off per person for the divorce. Court fees paid separately to HMCTS.

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Two separate processes

It helps to keep two things apart. Ending your marriage is a court process that follows a fixed timetable and does not look at your finances. Sorting your finances is about who keeps what: the home, savings, pensions and debts. You can run them side by side, but one does not automatically decide the other.

Ending your marriage: the divorce application, conditional order and final order
Sorting your finances: an agreement between you, and usually a financial court order to make it binding
CalmSplit's £159 fee covers the divorce itself, not a financial settlement

Why starting now usually helps

The divorce timetable is at least 26 weeks, so waiting adds delay for no benefit
The 20-week wait before the conditional order gives you time to negotiate
A consent order can only be approved once the conditional order has been made
Certainty about the divorce often makes the financial conversation calmer

One thing to be careful about

Do not apply for the final order before you have thought about the finances if a pension is involved, and do not remarry before a financial order is made, because remarriage can bar certain claims. Where pensions or property are significant, take advice on timing.

The usual order of events

Divorce application issued by HMCTS
Conditional order after 20 weeks, once the court is satisfied
Financial agreement reached, and a consent order applied for where appropriate
Final order at least 6 weeks and 1 day after the conditional order, ending the marriage

When to get advice

Consider independent legal or financial advice where there are pensions of real value, a business, complex property, significant debts, or where you are unsure whether what you have agreed is reasonable. CalmSplit can refer you to an independent solicitor. That does not change your £159 CalmSplit fee, and we do not take a fee for the referral.

Frequently asked questions

Starting the divorce does not decide anything about money. Financial claims are dealt with separately. The one timing point that matters is that remarrying before a financial order is made can bar certain claims, so deal with finances before any new marriage.

Related CalmSplit pages

Online divorce with CalmSplit£159 per person, one-off. Start free and see your route first.Divorce and financesHow ending the marriage and sorting money fit together.Divorce financial orderWhat a financial order does and the types available.Consent orders explainedHow an agreement becomes a binding court order.Divorce and the family homeOptions for the house and how they are agreed.Fixed fee divorceOne price, no hourly billing.

Ready to start the divorce itself?

Start free. £159 one-off per person for the divorce. Court fees paid separately to HMCTS.

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