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.

What is a clean break order?

A clean break order is a type of financial order that ends future financial claims between you, so neither of you can make a claim against the other later. It is usually included within a consent order where a clean break is appropriate.

What does the £159 CalmSplit fee cover?

It covers preparing and managing your divorce application from start to final order: the questions, the paperwork, guidance and progress tracking. It does not include a financial settlement or a financial court order, which are separate.

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.

Consent order in divorce

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

A consent order is a court order that turns the financial agreement you and your spouse have reached into something legally binding and enforceable. You apply for it separately from the divorce, usually after the conditional order has been made.

CalmSplit takes care of the divorce itself: you answer plain-English questions online and we prepare and manage your application to HMCTS for a one-off £159 per person. Your financial arrangements are handled separately.

The divorce ends the marriage. It does not divide your money or property
£159 one-off per person for the divorce, court fee paid separately to HMCTS
CalmSplit is a self-help platform, not a law firm. Independent solicitor referrals are available

CalmSplit fee

£159one-off, per person

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

Start your divorce free

No payment to begin. £159 one-off when you are ready to prepare your application. Court fees are paid separately to HMCTS.

See how it works

What a consent order can cover

What happens to the family home and any other property
How savings, investments and other capital are divided
Pension sharing, where appropriate
Who is responsible for which debts
Any maintenance, and whether there is a clean break

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

How the court approves it

A judge reviews the draft order and a short summary of your finances to check the agreement is broadly fair. It is a paper exercise in most cases, without a hearing, provided the paperwork is in order.

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

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.

Typical costs when finances are agreed

Item	Cost
CalmSplit divorceOne-off, per person. Ending the marriage only.	£159
HMCTS divorce court feePaid directly to the court. Help with Fees may apply.	£628
HMCTS consent order court feeCourt fee to approve a financial order.	£58
Drafting a consent orderA fixed fee with a solicitor is common where finances are straightforward.	Varies

Frequently asked questions

A consent order is a court order that records a financial agreement you have both reached and makes it legally binding. It is applied for during or after the divorce and is a separate application from the divorce itself.

Related CalmSplit pages

CalmSplit consent order serviceHow a consent order can be prepared alongside your divorce.Online divorce with CalmSplit£159 per person, one-off. Start free and see your route first.Clean break ordersEnding future financial claims between you.Clean break vs consent orderHow the two relate and which you may need.Financial settlement in divorceWhat a settlement covers and how it is recorded.How much does divorce cost?CalmSplit fee, HMCTS court fee and Help with Fees explained.

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No payment to begin. £159 one-off when you are ready to prepare your application. Court fees are paid separately to HMCTS.

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