2025

When a married couple or civil partners separate and remain apart for a significant period, such as five years, without also formalising their financial separation, it can raise important questions about their claims against each other. While it may seem that the passage of time could affect the financial arrangements, the legal process for finalising a financial settlement remains important, even after several years of separation.

Once a financial settlement has been agreed upon, it is essential to understand how long the obligations will last, and the effective date of each transaction. The duration and terms of a financial settlement can vary depending on the type of financial arrangements involved, the nature of the assets, and the needs of both parties.

A Form D81, also known as the Statement of Information for a Consent Order, is a key document in financial proceedings as part of a couple’s divorce or civil partnership dissolution. It provides the court with information regarding each person’s financial circumstances so a judge can decide whether to approve the proposed financial settlement.

When a financial settlement is agreed upon as part of a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership, both parties are legally bound to comply with its terms. However, there are situations where one party may refuse to pay the agreed-upon amount. This can be both frustrating and financially distressing. It is essential to understand the actions you can take in such cases and what your options are.

Delays in reaching a financial settlement after a relationship ends can cause significant stress, particularly when one party is deliberately stalling the process. If your ex-spouse or civil partner is avoiding or delaying financial negotiations, you may be left uncertain about your future security. While divorce or dissolution bring the legal end to the marriage or partnership, financial matters are not automatically resolved without a formal agreement or court order.

The time it takes for a Form C2 to be processed will depend on the type of request being made and how urgently the court considers it needs to be dealt with. Applications made by Form C2 are generally used in ongoing family court proceedings when someone needs to apply for permission to be part of the case, ask for new directions to be made, or they wish to make a fresh application where permission is required.

A Form C2 is used in family court proceedings when a person wants to seek permission to apply for an order, request directions from the court in existing proceedings, or ask to be joined as a party to the proceedings. It is commonly used by individuals who are not automatically entitled to apply for certain types of orders, such as grandparents seeking contact with a grandchild.

When a parent or guardian applies to the Family Court using a Form C100, they are seeking a court order about a child. One of the most common questions asked is how long the process takes once the form has been submitted. The answer depends on a number of factors, including whether the application is agreed, whether there are any safeguarding concerns, and the complexity of the case.