Standalone Clean Break Order
£1,500 + VAT
- No joint assets, or assets already divided
- No ongoing maintenance payments
- No pension sharing required
- Both parties agree on the terms
Clean Break Order
End all financial ties.
End all financial ties.
Completely.
A Clean Break Order is the only way to permanently close the door on future financial claims — protecting what you build next.
What is it?
Your Final Order ends the
Your Final Order ends the
marriage. It doesn’t end
the financial claims.
A Clean Break Order is a financial order approved by the court. It ends all financial claims between you and your ex-spouse — including claims against future income, assets, and pensions. Both parties must agree to the Order. Once sealed by the court, it is legally binding and permanent.
- Ends all financial claims — past, present, and future
- Protects assets you acquire after the divorce
- Covers income, savings, property, and pensions
- Both parties must agree — court approves the Order
- Available even where there are no joint assets
The risks of not having one
These are not hypothetical risks. Financial claims have been made successfully years after a divorce was finalised. A Clean Break Order removes that exposure entirely.
-
Future financial claims
Your ex-spouse can make a claim against income, savings, or assets you acquire after the divorce — including inheritance, a new business, or a lottery win.
-
Pension entitlement
Without a Clean Break Order, your ex may retain the right to claim against your pension — even decades later.
-
Remarriage
complicationsIf either party remarries without a Clean Break Order in place, it can extinguish certain claims — but not all. The risk of future litigation remains.
-
No automatic
protectionYour Final Order (Decree Absolute) ends the marriage — but it does not end financial claims. Only a court-approved financial order does that.
Fixed fees. No surprises.
We offer fixed-fee pricing for Clean Break Orders so you know exactly what you’re paying from the outset. Payment plans are available.
Joint Divorce + Clean Break Order
£2,000 + VAT
- Joint divorce application included
- Clean Break Order included
- Fixed fee for the full package
- Suitable for straightforward divorces
Where financial circumstances are more complex — involving property, pensions, or business assets — a full Consent Order may be more appropriate. We’ll advise on the right route in your Strategy Session.
Four steps to a clean break.
-
Strategy Session
We review your financial position and confirm whether a standalone Clean Break Order is appropriate, or whether a full Consent Order is needed.
-
Drafting
We draft the Clean Break Order and any supporting documents. Both parties review and confirm the terms.
-
Court submission
We submit the Order to the court for approval. The court reviews it to ensure it is fair and appropriate.
-
Order sealed
Once approved, the court seals the Order. It becomes legally binding — ending all financial claims between you.
Court approval typically takes 6–10 weeks once documents are submitted.
Common questions
Do we both need to agree?
Yes. A Clean Break Order is a Consent Order, which means both parties must agree to the terms. If you can’t reach agreement, a contested financial remedy application may be needed instead. Mediation is often a constructive next step.
Why do I need one if we’re on good terms?
Because relationships and circumstances change. Without a Clean Break Order, your ex retains the legal right to make a financial claim against you in the future — regardless of how amicable things are now. The Order locks the position in.
What if one of us remarries?
Remarriage extinguishes certain financial claims (the “remarriage trap”) — but not all of them, and not in every direction. A Clean Break Order is the only reliable way to ensure both sides are protected from future claims.
Can I get a Clean Break Order if we have children?
Yes — a Clean Break Order ends financial claims between spouses but does not affect child maintenance or claims relating to the children. Those are dealt with separately under the Child Maintenance Service or Schedule 1.
Is a Clean Break Order the same as a Consent Order?
A Clean Break Order is a type of Consent Order. The wider category of Consent Orders also covers ongoing maintenance, property transfers, and pension sharing. A Clean Break Order specifically dismisses all future financial claims between you and your ex.
How long does it take?
Typically 6–10 weeks once the Order is submitted to the court. Drafting and finalising the Order between solicitors usually takes another two to four weeks beforehand, depending on responsiveness.
Do I need a solicitor to get a Clean Break Order?
Technically no — but the Order is legally binding and permanent. A poorly drafted Order can leave gaps that allow future claims, or be rejected by the court. Most clients prefer the certainty of a solicitor-drafted Order.
Ready to move forward?
Get clarity in one hour.
A Strategy Session with SKB Law is a focused, solicitor-led meeting. You’ll leave with a clear picture of where you stand, your options, and a written action plan.