It’s one of the most common – and misunderstood – questions in UK family law.
Even after a Final Order (Decree Absolute), your financial ties with your ex do not automatically end.
Unless you have a Clean Break Consent Order, your former spouse can still make financial claims – even years later.
Example: In Wyatt v Vince [2015], a wife brought a financial claim 20 years after divorce because there had never been a financial order. The Supreme Court allowed it.
That’s why a properly drafted and approved Clean Break Order is so important.
It ensures both parties are free to move on — no future claims, no uncertainty.
A fair agreement can look like this:
one party keeps their business and savings,
the other receives an agreed share of the family home (for example, 50%),
both confirm that this is a full and final financial settlement.
Once sealed by the Family Court, this order provides total legal protection.
If you’ve been separated for some time but never formalised your financial settlement, it’s not too late to do it properly.