Consent Order re pension - Been called to court to see Judge

[Lexie82]

So after 2 letter to the Judge we have been called to court to discuss the financial consent order that has been submitted.
We are both fully in agreement and I'm happy with the settlement.
Basically my ex-H has agreed a lump sum payment in return for no Pension Attachement order.
I'm more than happy with this......
It says in letter bring solicitor if we have been using one. For which neither of us have...

Anyone had to go before a Judge before to talk about this or what am I likely to experience?

Both myself and ex-H just want this done and hope we can just both explain we are happy and he will stamp?!?!

Thanks - all advise welcome!

You'll be fine. The judge will just talk to you both to make sure you understand and aren't being coerced. S/he will no doubt finalise the order there and then, unless There's something very wrong.

They have to be careful with unrepresented parties, you hear some real horror stories of fraud and duress.

We were called before a judge for our financial consent order. He just asked us both why we had decided as we had and made sure that we both understood and weren't being coerced. Then he signed it.

I don't need to get a solicitor then? Just worried about it all! We are both very amicable and very happy with the arrangement......@wendywoopywoo222 @MrsBertBibby

Are you sure this is in your best interests, though, OP? Please don't put yourself in a situation where you'll be much worse off as a pensioner as a result.

@HollowTalk it is and it isn't in my best interests but I do know what I am doing and trying to achieve and I do want the settlement we have agreed so hopefully will get sorted. But thanks x

OK, sorry, just checking! I've just found out my ex husband will retire on twice my pension, so thought it was worth double checking.

@HollowTalk nice to see some saying something helpful, kind and said nicely on MN to be honest! xx

Yes, it can be brutal here at times! Great at other times, though.

It will help if you take advice. First so if you are really selling yourself short you know that, and second as the judge will be happier if you have done so.

@MrsBertBibby I have taken legal advice and from Pension/Financial Advisor so I am well aware of the situation I am in....

Do you mean take advice with us? Do I need solicitor or can we just attend and say we both happy etc....

A pensions adviser cannot give you legal advice on the merits of your deal. That is what you need, from a solicitor.

We both did it all without a solicitor. Our decision was financially very one sided but the judge agreed our reasoning.

I’ve heard it said that both parties should feel slightly unsatisfied with the deal - then it’s probably fair. But that’s not really an exact science I guess.