Submit the Form E Divorce for an Uncontested Divorce
If you are in an uncontested divorce proceedings and wish to settle financial arrangements with your former partner without going to court then it is normally best that you complete the Form E. This is a comprehensive questionnaire which sets out both parties’ finances and is supported by detailed documents. It can be complex to fill in but it is a requirement that you do so to ensure that the judge is able to make a fair decision when making financial orders as part of your divorce.
A failure to provide full and frank disclosure in the Form E can lead to financial sanction being imposed on you by the courts. This could include a fine or imprisonment depending on the severity of your breach. It is therefore essential that you seek professional advice and guidance to ensure that you complete the form e divorce correctly and fully.
The first section of the Form E deals with property and assets that you personally own. This includes land, buildings and shares in companies. You will need to set out a list of all your assets and their value as well as giving details about any joint investments you have. You will need to give a realistic estimate of the market value of each asset. You will also be asked to give a breakdown of any mortgages on these assets and again you will need to provide supporting evidence such as a recent mortgage statement or valuation obtained in the last six months.
Do I Need to Submit the Form E Divorce for an Uncontested Divorce?
If there are any assets that you don’t know the value of then you should contact the relevant company or organisation to get a valuation. It is often possible to get this free of charge and it can make a huge difference when trying to decide how much to put in your Form E.
The next section of the Form E deals with any children that you have or had during your marriage/civil partnership. This includes adopted, step and foster children as well as your biological ones. You will need to provide details of all your children and their current age and if they have any ongoing health needs you will need to detail this as well.
Once you have completed the Form E it should be exchanged with your former spouse, either directly or through your solicitor. You will both review the disclosed information and where there are concerns these may be addressed through negotiations or in court hearings.
It is important to remember that the information you provide in the Form E is a snapshot of your financial position at a certain date and should be updated as soon as any significant changes occur. Failure to do so could lead to a contempt of court prosecution. For this reason, it is advisable to take legal advice from a specialist family law firm before completing the Form E and ensuring that the information provided is accurate and up to date.
