Financial Consent Order Processing Time

[Jonathan70]

Consent order has been submitted via online portal. Anyone submitted theirs recently and can give an idea of current processing times? I know it depends which Court deal with it but would be good to get a idea…Thanks.

Can't help but following

Hi. I am in same situation- my solicitor submitted the consent order via the portal 2 days ago.
Google search’s show anything from 2-4 weeks to 6-8 weeks but peoples experiences on here vary too from 1 week to 3 months!
I called the financial remedy department at the divorce service today to ask this question and they said they are very busy so could take up to 8 weeks- 2 to accept and issue the consent order and then 4-6 weeks for judge to look at it on their workload and approve/reject/ask for further info on.

i know what am saying probably doesn’t help, sorry!
my divorce from my abusive ex has been going on for 17 months, I really wish I could get this stress over with- I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

good luck with your case and keep us updated!

Thanks for the info from the divorce court -good luck with your case too.
Please update me when yours is back!

I submitted my Consent Order in November of last year and granted exactly 4 weeks later (this was after it was initially rejected by the judge for being too unfairly weighted in my favour). Applied for Final Order (with an Out of Time Order in January which took 7 working days (Final Orders currently signed off same day applied for)

Hope this helps

When it was rejected did you write and explain reasons or did you adjust agreement? Did the judge say that they felt it was weighted unfairly?
Thanks

@Jenny876 that's useful timimgs info for me too, thank you!

My solicitor told me that they are awaiting an order that was submitted in September and there does seem to be a backlog currently.

Defo a backlog. I submitted ours via portal on 20 Dec. We were notified via my solr early Jan that it’s been referred to the judge. Not sure why as the division was 50.50 really. Court says could be quite a while before it’s looked at.

Our final order was granted back in June last year and separated for 3 years. Would quite like it done and dusted tbh

I called the financial remedy service today who deals with the consent orders and yeah there is a backlog- they are currently processing orders received on 31 January 2024- then once accepted they will be sent to judge. I was advised the process was taking minimum 8 weeks at the mo 😔

Thanks for letting me know. Keep me updated!

I submitted mine on the 20 December 2023 and it was approved on the 16 January 2024.

Submitted for the final order on the evening of the 13 February, so assume it was finalised on the 14 February (what a date!), sat waiting to be told that it is done, keep refreshing my page!

Thanks for sharing that- it gives me a little hope. I left my abusive ex 2 years ago and it’s took 17 months to get this far in the divorce. I feel sad of course that the marriage is ending but once that’s steps taken then it’s time to move on and living in limbo has been hell.
all the best to you 😊

Update- my solicitor submitted my consent order via the portal on 7/02/24 and today 20/02/24 I received notification that it had gone to the judge but been rejected. I had three questions to answer which I will do tonight and ask solicitor to send off my reply. So that’s just under 2 weeks for consent order to be received, accepted and in front of the judge! I was very shocked and surprised as I was told it would be 8 weeks due to the backlog!
let’s see how long it takes from this point on- I am hoping not too much longer!

What questions did you have to answer?

Was it weighted in one persons favour?

Bank account split was 50/50 and he was paying me 55% of house but didn’t want to share his pension (large one over £300k). Judge asked why the split of assets wasn’t equal and info on why we considered it fair. Also a question about accommodation as he will have the house and I live in rented accommodation with 2 young kids.
will see what happens now

@Jenny876 are you happy with unequal split? Was the question asked to both of you or just you? Do you know if the judge is able to direct you both to amend the order? Sorry for all the questions…..

The judge just said the parties needed to address the three issues- so I’ve written my reply. It’s all just happened today so will see what my solicitor says about if ex needs to write something too.
yeah am happy with the split and said so in the consent order but these forms don’t give you much space to write and explain things.
I’ve asked the judge to reconsider his verdict based upon my answers so will see if it gets accepted or if he insists on a pension sharing order.

@Jenny876 Do you know if the judge can insist on something being amended?

@Jenny876 I'm guessing your ex has to sign to say he’s seen your response?

Why are you giving up 50% of his pension? That's seems silly?

No idea on that or if he needs to answer the questions too in his own statement and we then both submit to judge.

as far as I am aware yes the judge can force amendments if they deem the proposed order unfair.

No it’s not silly. I was a victim of domestic abuse and he’s dragged this divorce on for 18 months. This is the hill he is choosing to die on. If judge says he will need to do pension sharing then he will have no choice but if I say it then I am a gold digger apparently 🤦‍♀️

@Jenny876 i think that’s what I’m wondering - how many people actually have no choice but to accept something unfair to get the divorce over with, or because the only other option is court, which is pointless financially unless the amount contested is huge. I wish that the system allowed the judge to tell your ex he has to pension share or give you more equity, based on the info/figures in your D81, rather than you be in a position where you have to send in an order of consent, to be able to move on with your life.
Keep us updated!

Me too, but sometimes it’s best to cut losses to be able to move on and be happy. I will always put happiness before money - so I am ok with the proposed split.

will see what happens now!

all the best 😊