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.

What is a consent order?

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.

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.

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.

Should I sort finances before or after divorce?

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

In practice, alongside. You can begin the divorce straight away, negotiate finances during the 20-week wait, and have a consent order approved after the conditional order but before the final order. Leaving finances entirely until after the divorce is possible but riskier.

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

Running them side by side

Weeks 1 to 20: divorce progresses, you disclose and negotiate finances
After the conditional order: a consent order can be submitted for approval
Week 26 onwards: apply for the final order, ideally with finances resolved

Risks of leaving finances until later

Claims stay open until a court order is made
Remarriage can bar certain claims
Assets change in value and disclosure gets harder over time

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.

Frequently asked questions

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.

Related CalmSplit pages

Can I divorce before sorting finances?Why the divorce does not have to wait.Online divorce with CalmSplit£159 per person, one-off. Start free and see your route first.Consent orders explainedHow an agreement becomes a binding court order.Financial settlement in divorceWhat a settlement covers and how it is recorded.Divorce financial orderWhat a financial order does and the types available.

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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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