Money and property when you divorce or separate

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Get help agreeing

A mediator can help you and your ex-partner agree on how to split money and property, without taking sides.

Mediation is not relationship counselling. It can help you agree on how you’ll divide your assets, including:

  • pensions
  • property
  • savings
  • investments

Mediation can be quicker and cheaper than asking a court to decide for you.

You need to attend a mediation information assessment meeting (MIAM) before you start mediation.

Find a local mediator.

The mediator can decide that mediation is not right for you (for example, if there’s been domestic abuse and you need to go to court instead).

How much it costs

A MIAM is usually about £120. If you need more mediation sessions they cost more and fees vary depending on where you live.

Check if you can get legal aid for mediation.

Making your agreement legally binding

At the end of mediation you’ll get a document showing what you agreed. This agreement is not legally binding.

If you want a legally binding agreement you need to draft a consent order and get a court to approve it. The consent order can be based on what you agreed in mediation.

If you need more help agreeing

You can:

If you do not agree on everything

You can ask a court to decide on anything you have not agreed on.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Get a divorce: step by step

  1. Step 1 Get support and advice

    You can get support or counselling to help you through the divorce process.

    1. Get support and advice from Relate
    2. Find a counsellor on Counselling Directory

  2. Step 2 Check if you can get divorced

    1. Check if you can get a divorce
    2. Get legal advice if you want help with the divorce process

  3. Step 3 Make arrangements for children, money and property

    1. Make arrangements for your children
    2. Divide your money and property
    3. Check if your divorce will affect whether you can live in your current home

  4. Step 4 Apply for a divorce

    1. Apply for a divorce online or by post £593
    2. Get help with court fees
    3. Get legal advice
    4. Get help if your husband or wife cannot make decisions for themselves

  5. Step 5 Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or ‘decree nisi’

    1. Apply for a ‘conditional order’ or 'decree nisi'

  6. Step 6 Finalise your divorce

    1. Apply for a ‘final order’ or 'decree absolute'

  7. Step 7 Report that your circumstances have changed

    You also have to tell other government organisations that you're getting divorced if: