D81 Form: Statement of Information For Settling the Financial Issues

The D81 Form or Statement of Information is an essential document in the process of settling the financial issues of a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership. This form supports an application for a consent order by giving specific financial information about both parties.
Updates have been made to the D81 Form, and the revised version had taken effect on February 3, 2022.

When is a D81 Form Required?

Divorce does not automatically mean that a couple’s financial obligations are over. Either partner may file for bankruptcy at a later date if a consent order is not obtained to settle thefinancial matters (unless they remarry). A court considers the financial situation of the divorcing or separated spouse before approving a consent order. This evaluation guarantees that the agreement achieved is reasonable and fair in the given situation.

An essential step in this final procedure is the D81 Form. Applications for financial redress orders or consent orders are supported by it. The form needs to be carefully completed to represent the parties’ agreements and current financial situation. It can be accessed from official
legal resources.

How Does the New D81 Form Work?

Compared to the previous version, the updated D81 Form demands more information, particularly with relation to the parties’ present income and financial circumstances. Important updates consist of:

1. Detailed Financial Information

The parties are required to submit comprehensive information regarding their present financial situation, including the effect of any interim spousal maintenance orders and the CMS’s assessments of child support.

2. Interim Maintenance Orders

In an effort to speed up the approval process for these agreements, the revised form includes provisions for interim maintenance orders.

3. Capital Orders and Maintenance Proposals

Any variations from equality in capital orders must now be explained in full on the form, along with a thorough description. This also holds true for maintenance plans’ overall impact, making sure judges can comprehend and concur that the distribution of funds is equitable.

4. Clean Break Orders

An explanation of why this arrangement is fair and how each party will meet their future income needs must be included in the form if the proposed consent decree contains a clean break, which is an agreement between the spouses to be financially independent after the divorce and not receive spousal payments.

5. Living Arrangements

The recently implemented D81 Form requires comprehensive information regarding future housing arrangements, including the address of each partner and their children, whether homes will be owned or rented, and the total amount of equity in their home. These specifications are meant to guarantee equity and give a clear, all-encompassing picture of the financial agreements—especially where children are involved.

What Happens Once the D81 Form is Completed?

The information is presented to the court for approval after the D81 Form is completed and the terms are agreed upon. In order to make sure the agreement is fair and reasonable in light of the parties’ circumstances, the court will examine the specifics. It is anticipated that the additional amount of detail necessary will expedite the consent approval system, even though it may make the form completion process longer. Insufficient information used to be a major factor in consent orders being returned rejected. The new D81 Form seeks to lessen the possibility of this occurring by requiring more information up front, which should expedite the approval process.

Family Law Advice

It is more crucial than ever to get expert family law counsel because of the stricter guidelines for consent orders. Your financial situation and legal rights are protected when you receive professional legal advice. Getting independent legal counsel also shows the court that both parties are aware of the agreement’s effects, which raises the possibility of approval.

In order to complete the financial components of a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, the D81 Form is essential. The most current revisions to the form guarantee an exhaustive and equitable evaluation of financial agreements, which is advantageous to all sides and expedites the court approval procedure. For assistance navigating this intricate procedure and obtaining a just financial settlement, consult a family law specialist.

For further advice please get in touch with our team today by calling 020 8538 0182 or +44 7857 809932, or you can email us on [email protected].

Please note these blogs are to enhance your knowledge and are not tailored advice, for specific advice please get in touch with our outstanding team.