Clean Break

If you divorce, you need a Clean Break. It is possible in most cases and we can help you decide how best to achieve it.

Protecting your assets

A Clean Break is part of the Consent Order which prevents the other party from claiming against you in the future, during your life or upon your death. A Clean Break can only be made by a Court and is vital to ensure your current and future assets are protected.

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The importance of a clean break

Regardless of your assets, a Clean Break is necessary in every case to protect your future. Even if you have nothing at all now, you could move on to the property ladder, inherit money or even win the lottery in the future. If you do, your ex-spouse could return to make a claim against you, unless you obtain a Clean Break.

The Consent Order will record whatever financial agreement you have reached but crucially will contain a paragraph confirming the agreement is on a Clean Break basis. The Consent Order will be tailored to your individual circumstances but will almost always include the Clean Break. Even if there are no assets at all, it is important to still get a Clean Break. We will help you to persuade the other party to agree to the Clean Break as it will protect them too. We will also make sure the Order is appropriate and likely to be approved by the Judge.

What to expect

We will meet with you to understand your financial circumstances. We will need a detailed list of your assets, pensions, debt, income and outgoings. We need the same information from the other party so we will need to plan how best to understand the full picture.

We will write to the other party to agree on a date to exchange details of each of your financial circumstances. Alternatively, you may wish to sign a disclaimer to skip this step, for example if you have no assets and to simply ask the Court for a Clean Break.

If the other party agrees to the Clean Break, we will prepare a draft Consent Order containing the Clean Break and another court form, known as a D81, which will summarise both your financial information. This will help the Judge to assess if the agreement is fair. Once everything has been signed, it is sent to the Court for approval. If successful, we will then receive a Consent Order with a Court stamp. This will be final and binding on both of you.

Our commitments to you

Our team of experienced family solicitors are ready to help you.

We look after you

We understand that you’re going through a tough time, and we’re here to support you through it.

Our lawyers are available to talk to you whenever you need it.

We keep you informed

It can be stressful waiting for information.

We don’t keep you waiting. As soon as we have progress, we let you know straight away.

We help you understand

Legal matters can be complex.

We’ll explain everything to you and guide you through the process so that you know what’s happening.

Fees

  • Financial matters handled without going to court From £2,100 (including VAT)

    Examples for Married/civil partners: resolve finances by exchanging information, negotiating (directly, via solicitors, or mediation), and turning agreements into a court-approved consent order.

    Examples for Unmarried couples: agree on home sale or shares, divide money, possessions, debts, and bills, arrange child support, and record everything in a cohabitation or separation agreement.

  • Financial matters that go through the courts From £5,040 (including VAT)

    Examples for married/civil partners: disputes over selling or keeping the home, spousal maintenance, sharing pensions, lump-sum payments for housing, treatment of inherited assets, unpaid maintenance, or hiding money.

    Examples for unmarried couples: disputes over home ownership and sale, mortgage/deposit contributions, loans/gifts/renovations, occupation costs, and child-related financial support.

Testimonials

I have called upon Rebecca’s expertise a number of times over the years and have done so once again recently. There’s no one else I would recommend in relation to family matters. Her experience, practical advice and just overall confidence and expertise immediately puts you at ease in the knowledge that you’re in very good hands. With many thanks.

AnonymousMarch 2026

I can’t thank Alison enough for her help with my financial settlement. She handled everything professionally and kept me reassured throughout the whole process. Alison was friendly, supportive, and made a complicated situation feel much easier and far less stressful. She dealt with every challenge brilliantly. I’m genuinely grateful for all her work and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her

AnonymousMarch 2026

Donata showed real sensitivity to our situation (testator with chronic illness) and flexibility to visiting different locations, (hospital, home) and at short notices too. This did not go unnoticed and was appreciated.

She also listened to the client well, which swung us to favour Rucklidge’s over the alternative firm that we spoke to; seeking to understand the client’s unique situation, rather than jumping to a proposed solution as soon as possible.

Fee transparency was valued too.

AnonymousMarch 2026
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