Financial Disclosure – The Essential Guide

WHAT IS FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?

Financial disclosure is the foundation of any fair divorce settlement.

Whether negotiated privately, through mediation, arbitration, or the court process, you
must exchange full, honest, and complete information.

This guide explains what you need, why it matters, and how to prepare without feeling
overwhelmed.

You will complete:
1. Form E (if in court), OR
2. A simplified “Form E-style” disclosure (if negotiating privately)

WHY IS DISCLOSURE REQUIRED?

Because:

1. You cannot negotiate fairly without knowing the full picture
2. Solicitors cannot advise without it
3. Judges cannot approve a consent order without it
4. Hidden information can invalidate agreements

Key principle:

Disclosure must be full, frank and ongoing.

THE COMPLETE DISCLOSURE CHECKLIST

Below is the full list of documents typically required:

Personal information:

1. Full name, date of birth, NI number
2. Address
3. Employment details
4. Payslips (3–6 months)
5. Latest P60
6. Passport / ID

Property (UK & abroad):

1. Address
2. Ownership share
3. Mortgage statement
4. Current valuation
5. Tenancy agreements
6. Service charges/ground rent

Key Questions:

1.“Do we have any property that is not in my name but I have an interest in?”

2.“Do I have property abroad that needs formal valuation?”

Bank accounts (for all accounts, including joint):

1. Statements for last 12 months
2. Savings and fixed-term accounts
3. Online-only accounts
4. Overseas accounts
5. Business accounts (if relevant)

Investments:

1. Stocks and shares
2. ISAs
3. Bonds
4. Premium bonds
5. Crypto assets
6. Offshore investments
7. Venture capital portfolios

Pensions:

1. Annual statements
2. CETVs
3. Defined benefit and defined contribution pensions
4. Overseas pensions

Key Question:

“Is my pension worth more than my property?” (Often yes.)

Business assets:

1. Company accounts (2–3 years)
2. Management accounts
3. Valuation reports
4. Shareholder agreements
5. Dividend history
6. Director’s loan accounts
7. Business debts

Trusts:

1. Trust deed
2. Letter of wishes
3. Trustee details:
4. Schedules of payments
5. Asset valuations
6. Distribution history

Debts & liabilities:

1. Credit cards
2. Personal loans
3. Business loans
4. HMRC debts
5. Overdrafts
6. Family loans

Key Question:

“Are any debts disputed, informal or disguised as loans?”

Income & expenditure:

1. Housing
2. Utilities
3. Food
4. Travel
5. Child costs
6. Entertainment
7. Holidays
8. Health

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR HIGH-VALUE & COMPLEX CASES

You may need:

1. Forensic accountants
2. Business valuations
3. Property experts
4. Pension actuaries
5. Trust specialists

INTERNATIONAL & OFFSHORE ASSETS

Disclosure must include:

1. Overseas property
2. Offshore companies
3. Foreign pension rights
4. Multi-currency accounts
5. International tax exposure

COMMON PITFALLS TO AVOID

1. “Forgetting” small accounts
2. Incomplete valuations
3. Unverifiable crypto assets
4. Undeclared overseas pensions
5. Undisclosed family loans
6. Sudden changes in business income

These raise red flags with judges and solicitors.

KEY QUESTIONS

1. Have I provided everything?
2. Do my documents tell a consistent story?
3. Do I need expert valuations?
4. Could anything I’ve omitted be misinterpreted?
5. Do I understand my spouse’s disclosure?