D81 Statement Of Information - Overview
Form D81 Statement Explained: What Is the Statement of Information for a Consent Order?
When couples reach an agreement about finances following divorce or civil partnership dissolution, the settlement is made legally binding by submitting a consent order application to the court.
One of the most important documents in this process is Form D81 – the Statement of Information for a Consent Order.
What Is Form D81?
Form D81 is a court form. It is required in England and Wales when you apply for a financial consent order following divorce or civil partnership dissolution.
It provides the court with a summary of both parties’ financial circumstances, including assets, income, pensions, and liabilities. The judge uses this information to assess whether the proposed agreement is fair and reasonable in light of each party’s financial position.
Even where parties are fully agreed, the court has a duty to consider the settlement before granting a clean break — and Form D81 is central to that assessment.
When Do You Need to Complete Form D81?
Form D81 is required when:
- You have agreed financial arrangements with your former spouse or civil partner
- You want the court to approve those arrangements by way of a consent order
- You are submitting a draft consent order for approval
The form is filed at the same time as:
- The draft consent order, and
- Form A, marked “for consent order only”
Why Does the Court Require Form D81?
The Family Court relies on Form D81 to ensure that:
- Both parties have provided financial disclosure
- Neither party is being unfairly disadvantaged
- The outcome meets the legal principles set out in the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973
- The agreement is not manifestly unfair or impractical
If the judge is not satisfied, they may:
- Ask for further information or clarification inn writing; or
- Require the parties to attend a short hearing.
What Financial Information Is Included in Form D81?
Form D81 provides a snapshot of each party’s finances, including:
Capital Assets
- Property interests and equity
- Savings and investments
- Vehicles
- Lump sums
- Shares or other capital assets
- Pension cash equivalent values (CEVs)
Income
- Employment or self‑employment income
- Benefits or other sources of income
- Maintenance payments (if applicable)
Liabilities
- Mortgages
- Loans
- Credit cards and other debts
The Proposed Settlement
- What each party will receive under the consent order
- Details of any ongoing financial obligations, such as spousal maintenance
Do Both Parties Need to Sign Form D81?
Yes. Both parties must complete and sign a statement of trust in the Form D81, confirming that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of their knowledge.
If financial information is later found to be false or incomplete, the consent order could potentially be challenged and set aside.
Common Issues and Mistakes
In practice, judges frequently raise concerns where Form D81:
- Uses outdated or estimated figures without explanation
- Shows a significantly unequal settlement with no justification
Where one party is receiving considerably less, the court will expect a clear written explanation.
Help filling in the D81 form.
Our self-guided D81 tool helps you to fill in the D81 quickly and easily.
It includes:
- guidance on how to provide relevant details to help the court decide whether your settlement is fair;
- an easy to understand, full breakdown of the assets owned by you and your spouse; and
- the completed (and editable) D81 emailed to you ready to sign and submit.
