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Form E: the financial statement

The financial statement at the centre of a contested financial case. A plain-English map of its five parts and the documents to gather.

By Paige ThomsonFacts checked 20 October 2026Covers the law in England and Wales

Form E is the financial statement each of you completes when the court is deciding how to divide money and property after a divorce or dissolution. It sets out everything you own, owe and earn, with documents. There is no fee. You each send it to the court and to the other at least 35 days before the first appointment.

Official name
Financial statement for a financial order (Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 / Civil Partnership Act 2004) or for financial relief after an overseas divorce
Court fee
None
Online or paper
Paper (a fillable PDF)
Who fills it in
Both spouses, separately
When
At least 35 days before the first appointment, the date on the court notice (Form C)
Current version
Form E (01.23), with separate notes for guidance
Where it goes
To the court and a copy to your spouse at the same time

Correct at 20 October 2026. Fees from GOV.UK, Family court fees (EX50).

How do you fill in Form E?

Form E has five parts. Read the separate notes for guidance alongside it, and start gathering documents early: you need 12 months of statements for every bank account.

Part 1: general information

Personal details, dates of marriage, separation and the divorce orders, your health, the children and their schooling, any child maintenance calculation or agreement, other court cases between you, and who lives with you now. The notes say you only need to mention health conditions that are a real disability, not minor ailments.

Part 2: financial details

The longest part. It covers the family home and any other property (valuation and mortgage statement), bank accounts (12 months of statements; overdrawn accounts go here, not under debts), investments, life policies, money owed to you, cash and belongings worth more than £500 each, debts, and any Capital Gains Tax on a sale.

Business owners give two years of accounts and list directorships. Section 2.13 needs a valuation of every pension, including any Pension Protection Fund compensation. The notes say a valuation can only be used if it will be less than a year old at the first appointment; if you don’t have one, ask the provider and attach your letter. Then come income from employment (P60, last three payslips, P11D), self-employment, investments, benefits and anything else. Sections 2.20 and 2.21 summarise it all.

Part 3: what you need

A monthly budget for you and any children living with you, and your reasonable capital needs, such as a home or a car. Be realistic and be ready to justify each figure.

Part 4: other information

Significant changes in your finances, the standard of living during the marriage, your contributions (the notes are clear these include looking after the home and family), conduct (only in very exceptional cases), other relevant circumstances, and any new relationship.

Part 5: the order you want

If you can, say what orders you’re asking for. Many people get advice on this part.

Statement of truth and documents

Sign to confirm your disclosure is full, frank, clear and accurate. Attach copies, not originals, of the documents in the checklist. If you can’t attach one, explain why.

What are the common mistakes on Form E?

  • Pension values more than a year old by the first appointment, with no request letter attached.
  • Missing bank statements, or accounts left off altogether.
  • A budget that’s wildly high or low, or doesn’t match your bank statements.
  • Using Part 4 to complain about your spouse’s behaviour. Conduct rarely counts.
  • Attaching originals instead of copies.
  • Missing the 35-day deadline. The court can order you to pay costs.

What happens after you send Form E?

After exchange, each of you prepares a questionnaire about gaps in the other’s Form E, a statement of issues and a chronology, due 14 days before the first appointment. At the first appointment the judge decides what further information or valuations are needed and usually lists a financial dispute resolution (FDR) appointment. Our Form E guide covers the timetable and documents in more depth.

Form E, E1 or E2?

Form E is for financial orders in divorce, dissolution or separation, and for financial relief after an overseas divorce. Form E1 is for other financial remedies in the family court, for example financial claims for a child. Form E2 is for applications to vary an existing financial order, except where you want to replace maintenance with a lump sum, which uses Form E. If you’re responding to an enforcement application on D50K, the court will ask you for an E1.

Where do you get Form E?

Download Form E and its notes from GOV.UK; there are also large print and Welsh versions. File it with the court and send a copy to your spouse on the same day. GOV.UK’s Form E page gives the postal address as HMCTS Financial Remedy, PO Box 12746, Harlow CM20 9QZ. Check the court’s notice for any other instructions.

Open Form E on GOV.UK

We explain forms but never host them, so you always download the current version from GOV.UK.

When should you get help with Form E?

A family solicitor can check your Form E before you sign the statement of truth and help you question your spouse’s. A financial adviser can help with pension and investment values. If you’re close to agreement, a mediator can help you use the same information to settle.

Get help with Form E

Tell us what’s going on and we’ll introduce you to two or three family solicitors who can help. Introductions are free for you.

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Common questions

When is Form E due?

At least 35 days before the first appointment. You file it with the court and send a copy to your spouse at the same time. The date of the first appointment is on the notice the court sends you.

What if I can’t get a pension valuation in time?

Ask your pension provider straight away and attach a copy of your letter, and any reply, to Form E. The notes say a valuation must be less than a year old at the first appointment.

Do we need Form E for a consent order?

No. A consent order uses form D81, which is shorter. You still need to give each other enough information to know the agreement is fair.

What happens if someone lies on Form E?

Form E is signed with a statement of truth. A settlement based on false information can be set aside, and contempt proceedings can be brought for a false statement.

Sources

  1. GOV.UK, Form E financial statement and notes for guidance (form version 01.23)
  2. GOV.UK, Money and property when you divorce or separate: get the court to decide
  3. Family Procedure Rules 2010, Part 9 (financial remedies)
Form AStart a financial case, or apply for a consent orderForm PAsk a pension provider for the details a pension order needsForm D81Summarise both finances so a judge can approve a consent orderForm D50KEnforce an unpaid financial order; the court picks the method

Guides and tools

Form E explainedThe financial statement in depthSplitting money and propertyHow the court approaches itPensions in divorceSharing, offsetting and attachmentSpousal maintenanceWho pays, how much and for how long

This page is general information about court forms, not legal or financial advice. Forms, fees and rules change, so always download the current form from GOV.UK and speak to a qualified professional about your situation. Facts checked 20 October 2026.