What Form E is, and why people search for help with it
Form E is the standard financial statement used in England and Wales for financial remedy proceedings after divorce or dissolution. It is not the part where you make your full legal argument. It is the part where you set out the financial facts: what exists, what it is worth, what you earn, what you spend, and which documents support that picture.
That is why this form feels heavy. It asks for property, mortgages, bank statements, pensions, debts, income, budgets, and recent financial changes in one place. The good news is that most of the stress comes from not knowing where to start. Once the order becomes clear, the task is usually much calmer than it first looks.
The official HMCTS Form E page and the Notes for guidance are worth having open alongside this guide. The notes explain, among other things, that the completed form must usually be sent to the court and to the other person no later than 35 days before the first appointment.
Doing it yourself is often realistic if...
your finances are fairly straightforward, you can access the documents, and there are no obvious disputes about hidden assets, businesses, or complex trusts.
Pause and get advice early if...
there are business assets, overseas property, complex pensions, coercive control, or a real concern that the other person is not being open about the finances.
If you want the calmest route, start with structure
Most people do better when they work through Form E in the same order every time: gather the slow documents first, complete the factual sections next, then return to any harder wording once the figures are in place.
Can I complete Form E myself?
Many people can complete the disclosure work themselves, especially where the finances are ordinary and the main challenge is organisation rather than a disputed legal issue. The form is long, but most questions are factual: names, dates, assets, debts, income, monthly spending, and supporting documents.
The important boundary is risk. If there are hidden-asset concerns, business valuations, trusts, overseas property, complex pensions, coercive control, or a major dispute about disclosure, get legal advice before relying only on a self-help process.
Guided self-completion may be enough when
- your assets are mainly home, bank accounts, pensions, income, and normal debts;
- you can request the documents needed for Form E;
- you want to organise disclosure before paying for targeted advice.
Get advice early when
- there are companies, trusts, overseas assets, or unusual pensions;
- you think money or assets are being hidden;
- there is pressure, intimidation, or a safety concern.
Form E documents needed before you fill it in
The fastest way to make Form E easier is to gather evidence before you answer the detailed questions. Start with slow documents, then use the form as a structured disclosure checklist rather than a blank legal document.
7Core Form E document checklist
Use this as a simple prep list- 12 months of statements for bank, savings, and current accounts
- Mortgage statement, redemption figure, and property valuation evidence
- Pension CETV documents, not just annual pension statements
- Latest P60, recent payslips, P11D, or self-employment tax/accounting records
- Loan, overdraft, credit card, and tax liability statements
- Business accounts, company records, or directorship evidence where relevant
- Evidence for major recent gifts, transfers, asset sales, or inheritances
Free checklist
Get the Form E document checklist by email
Every document you need to gather before starting Form E — bank statements, pension CETVs, valuations, income evidence — in one email you can work through.
One email with the checklist. No spam.
Want the documents first?
Use the dedicated checklist if you are not ready to start the full questionnaire yet. It is the best supporting page for this guide and the simplest way to reduce overwhelm.
Form E section-by-section guide
Form E is easier when you understand what each part is trying to collect. Use this table as the map, then use the detailed walkthrough below for the parts that need more explanation.
| Form E section | What it asks for | Documents to gather | Common mistake | How Divvio helps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part 1: General information | Marriage, separation, children, health, employment, accommodation, and dependants. | Marriage details, children's details, separation evidence, address and employment details. | Guessing dates, over-writing personal history, or missing children/dependants with financial relevance. | Prompts the factual answers first and keeps them consistent with later sections. |
| Part 2: Financial details | Property, accounts, investments, debts, businesses, pensions, and other assets. | Valuations, mortgage statements, bank statements, investment statements, pension CETVs, loan records, business accounts. | Using pension fund values instead of CETVs, leaving out small accounts, or forgetting awkward debts. | Breaks the asset inventory into smaller sections and validates totals as you go. |
| Part 3: Income | Employment, self-employment, benefits, investment income, pension income, and other income. | P60, payslips, P11D, tax returns or accounts, benefits letters, dividend or rental evidence. | Only listing salary and missing bonuses, dividends, overtime, benefits, or irregular income. | Separates income types so each source is captured in the right place. |
| Part 4: Needs and budget | Monthly income needs, children's costs, housing needs, and future capital needs. | Bills, rent or mortgage evidence, childcare costs, insurance, regular bank outgoings. | Understating realistic costs or forgetting annual costs that need monthly equivalents. | Turns the budget into structured categories before it goes into Form E. |
| Part 5: Other information | Standard of living, contributions, conduct, recent changes, and other relevant financial context. | Evidence of recent asset sales, gifts, transfers, inheritances, or major changes. | Using the section for general relationship history rather than financially relevant context. | Keeps the prompts focused on financial relevance and disclosure. |
| Part 6: Orders and documents | What orders you seek and which supporting documents are attached. | Final document schedule, valuations, statements, CETVs, income evidence, and any case-specific documents. | Attaching partial statements, leaving the document schedule vague, or guessing at order wording. | Checks the document list and gives a court-ready PDF structure at export. |
Common Form E mistakes to avoid
Most Form E problems are not caused by legal wording. They are caused by incomplete disclosure, missing evidence, inconsistent figures, or trying to rush the sections that depend on slow third-party documents.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Opening the PDF first and trying to fill everything from memory.
- Starting with settlement arguments before the disclosure facts are complete.
- Using annual pension statements instead of requesting CETVs.
- Leaving out sole-name accounts, small balances, informal loans, or dormant pensions.
- Understating the monthly budget to look reasonable, then making the needs section unrealistic.
- Waiting too long to request slow documents like pensions and mortgage redemption figures.
Before you start: the order that makes Form E easier
People usually struggle when they open the form too early and try to complete it from memory. A better approach is to build your document pile first, then fill in the form with the evidence in front of you. You do not need every last document on day one, but you do need a sensible order.
Request the slow documents first
Pension CETVs and some mortgage figures take time. Start those requests before you do anything else.
Gather the core evidence
Bank statements, payslips, property values, debts, pensions, and anything else that shows the real picture.
Complete the factual sections first
Personal details, assets, debts, and income are usually easier than budgets and orders sought, so start there.
7Documents that usually matter most
Use this as a simple prep list- 12 months of statements for every bank and savings account
- Mortgage statements and redemption figures
- Property valuations or recent estate agent appraisals
- Pension CETVs rather than annual fund values
- Latest P60 and recent payslips
- Loan, overdraft, and credit card statements
- Business accounts if you own or run a business
Divvio tip
You do not need to solve every tricky point before you begin. What usually helps most is getting the facts, figures, and documents into one place first.
Part 1: General information
This first part is mostly factual. It covers the relationship, any children, where everyone is living, and any background facts that help the rest of the form make sense. It can look simple, but accuracy matters because these early details frame the whole disclosure exercise.
Keep your wording plain and factual. If you are unsure about the date of separation, use the best date you can honestly support and be consistent about it throughout the form. If there is a health issue, the useful question is whether it affects earning capacity, housing, care needs, or day-to-day costs.
5What to have to hand for Part 1
Use this as a simple prep list- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Children's dates of birth and living arrangements
- Current address details and living arrangements
- Employment details and job title
- The best evidence you have for the date of separation
Common mistakes to avoid
- Guessing the separation date instead of using the best factual date you can support.
- Leaving out dependent adult children or education costs that still matter financially.
- Treating health information as a personal narrative instead of explaining the practical financial impact.
Part 1 walkthrough, field by field
A calm, field-by-field guide to the General Information section, in the order most people actually fill it in.
Read the Part 1 walkthrough →Date of separation on Form E
How to choose the right date, what to do if you still live together, and how to prove it if your ex disagrees.
Read the date-of-separation guide →Can you complete Form E without a solicitor?
A calmer decision guide on when DIY is realistic and when to get targeted legal advice.
Read the article →Part 2: Financial details
This is the centre of Form E. You are listing the assets and debts that exist, what they are worth, and what evidence supports those figures. The court expects full and frank disclosure, which means this section is about completeness rather than strategy. If something exists and is relevant, it belongs here.
A helpful mindset is to imagine you are building a financial inventory rather than making a case. Accounts in your sole name still matter. Small balances still matter. Old pensions still matter. Debts that feel awkward or unusual still matter.
7Core financial evidence
Use this as a simple prep list- Property valuations or estate agent appraisals
- Mortgage statements and redemption figures
- 12 months of bank statements for every account
- Savings and investment statements
- Pension CETV documents
- Credit card, overdraft, and loan balances
- Business accounts if you own or run a business
Property and equity
For property, the number that usually matters most is the equity rather than the headline value. In simple terms, that is the current value minus the mortgage. If you have more than one property, work through each one the same way and keep the supporting statements together.
Quick formula
Property value - mortgage balance = equity
If you later need a more careful net figure for negotiation, you can also factor in estimated sale costs and any early repayment charge.
Accounts, savings, investments, and debts
List every bank account, savings account, ISA, investment platform, and debt. One of the easiest ways to make this section harder is to rely on memory. Use recent statements and build from evidence. If you are unsure whether something is properly a debt, disclose the arrangement and explain it rather than leaving it out.
Pensions are where people make the biggest mistakes
For Form E, you usually need a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value, not the fund value on an annual statement.
That point is reinforced both by the official Form E Notes and by how pension providers handle divorce valuations. This matters even more with defined benefit schemes, where the annual statement figure can create a very misleading picture if you treat it like capital.
If you own a business or hold a meaningful share in a private company, disclose the existence of the business and the supporting accounts, but do not guess at a disputed valuation. That is usually the point to get targeted advice.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using a pension fund value instead of a CETV.
- Leaving out dormant pensions, small savings accounts, or sole-name accounts.
- Forgetting informal family loans, tax liabilities, or other awkward debts.
- Treating a rough property estimate as a final figure when better evidence is available.
Part 2 financial details guide
Work through the full asset and liability inventory before you move to income and needs.
Read the Part 2 guide →Bank statements for Form E
Which accounts to include, how many months to provide, and what to do about missing statements.
Read the bank statements guide →Liabilities and debts on Form E
Loans, credit cards, tax debts, family loans, and disputed debts.
Read the debts guide →How to value your property for Form E
When estate agent appraisals are enough, and when you may need better evidence.
Read the property guide →Form E pensions section
How to disclose pensions, request CETVs, and explain missing pension valuations.
Read the pensions section guide →Understanding CETV for divorce
What a CETV is, why it matters, and why an annual statement may be wrong.
Read the CETV guide →Part 3: Income
This section is about the whole income picture, not just your basic salary. If you are employed, that usually includes pay, bonuses, overtime, commission, and benefits in kind. If you are self-employed or a company director, it may also include drawings, dividends, and the real pattern of income over time.
Use the most current evidence you have. The aim is not perfection for its own sake. The aim is to give a fair picture of what actually comes in, especially if your income has changed recently.
6Income documents
Use this as a simple prep list- Latest P60
- Recent payslips
- P11D if you receive benefits in kind
- Tax documents if self-employed
- Benefits award letters
- Pension income statements if already retired
Common mistakes to avoid
- Only giving basic salary and leaving out bonuses, overtime, or benefits.
- Forgetting rental income, dividend income, or regular financial support.
- Using an outdated income figure when the current position has already changed.
Part 4: Budget and income needs
This is where Form E moves from disclosure to day-to-day reality. Many people find it the hardest part because it can feel personal or exposing. In practice, the most useful approach is simply calm realism. Use actual bills and bank statements where you can. Convert annual costs into monthly figures. Explain future changes instead of pretending nothing is shifting.
A reasonable budget is not the same thing as an artificially low budget. If you make the numbers too tidy to appear modest, you often make the section less believable and less useful.
5Useful budget evidence
Use this as a simple prep list- Utility bills and council tax
- Mortgage or rent payments
- Insurance documents
- Childcare or school fee invoices
- Bank statements showing regular outgoings
Common mistakes to avoid
- Understating ordinary spending to appear more reasonable.
- Forgetting annual costs that should be converted into monthly figures.
- Blurring your own costs with the children's where a separate figure would be clearer.
Form E budget and income needs guide
How to build realistic monthly outgoings, children costs, future housing needs, and annual costs.
Read the budget guide →Build your Section 3.1 budget
Use the budget calculator to sense-check categories before you finalise your monthly outgoings.
Use the budget calculator →Part 5: Other information
This part adds context that may matter to the overall outcome: standard of living, contributions, major recent transactions, and anything else the court needs to understand about how the finances have changed. The temptation here is to turn the section into a general summary of the relationship. That usually makes it weaker.
Keep asking yourself one question: what does the court actually need to know in financial terms? A large gift, a recent asset sale, an inheritance used for the family, or a new household arrangement may all matter. Emotional detail for its own sake usually does not.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using conduct as a chance to re-argue the relationship instead of focusing on real financial relevance.
- Leaving out major recent spending, gifts, or asset transfers because they feel awkward to explain.
- Ignoring the effect of a new cohabiting relationship on household costs or support.
Part 6: Orders sought and documents
This final part pulls the form together. You confirm what outcome you are asking for and which documents are attached. If the earlier sections are well organised, this part becomes much less intimidating because you are mostly reviewing what you have already built.
If you are unsure how to word the orders sought, do not force yourself into solicitor language. Clear, practical wording is usually better than trying to sound formal. If the outcome is genuinely complicated, get targeted advice on the wording rather than guessing.
Typical orders that appear here
Common examples include transfer of the family home, sale of a property and division of the proceeds, lump sums, periodical payments, a clean break, or pension sharing. The right wording depends on your circumstances, but the key is to stay clear and fact-based.
8Final document check
Use this as a simple prep list- Property valuations for every property disclosed
- Mortgage statements and redemption figures where relevant
- 12 months of statements for every bank account
- Savings and investment statements
- Pension CETV documents
- Latest P60 and recent payslips
- Tax or accountant documents if self-employed
- Business accounts if relevant
Form E orders sought guide
Property, lump sums, pensions, maintenance, clean break, and document schedule wording.
Read the orders guideFinal document checklist
Use the checklist before signing so the form and document bundle match.
Check the documentsWhat happens after Form E is exchanged?
Questionnaires, Form G, the First Appointment, FDR, and the practical steps after disclosure.
Read the next-step guideCommon mistakes to avoid
- Attaching incomplete statements or partial PDFs.
- Marking a document not applicable when it is actually still required.
- Leaving pension paperwork too late and hoping the annual statement will do.
When it is sensible to get legal advice
A guide like this can make the process much easier, but it is not a substitute for legal advice in every case. The sensible middle ground is often to do the structured disclosure work yourself, then pay for targeted advice on the parts that genuinely need it.
Usually manageable with guided self-completion
Employment income, ordinary bank accounts, one or two pensions, a family home, straightforward debts, and a cooperative disclosure process.
Strong reason to get advice before you go further
Business assets, trusts, inherited wealth issues, overseas property, suspected hidden assets, coercion, or a dispute about how assets should be valued or disclosed.
Divvio tip
The cheapest sensible route is often not "do everything alone" or "pay a solicitor for every step." It is to complete the structured factual work yourself, then get paid advice only where the risk or complexity genuinely appears.
Need a clearer starting point before you pay for advice?
Use Divvio to get the document gathering, figures, and section order under control first. That makes any later solicitor or mediator input much more focused and much less expensive.
Before you sign and send Form E
Form E ends with a statement of truth. By signing it, you are confirming that the information is true to the best of your knowledge and belief. That does not mean you must have solved every difficult issue perfectly. It does mean you should review the form carefully, be honest about anything still pending, and keep the supporting evidence trail clear.
A sensible final check is simple: have you disclosed everything relevant, used the best current figures you have, attached the right documents, and explained any genuine gaps? If yes, the process is usually much stronger than it feels in the moment.
For timing, go back to the official Form E Notes and make sure your filing and exchange dates line up with the timetable in your case.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form E in divorce?
Do I need a solicitor to complete Form E?
When do I send Form E?
What if I do not have all the documents yet?
How do I value my pension for Form E?
Can both parties use the same Form E?
Start Form E when you are ready
Use the guide to understand the process, then start the online Form E flow when you are ready to turn the research into saved answers. You can begin for free and pay only when you unlock the completed PDF.