When people talk about “financial disclosure”, they usually mean one thing: both people sharing a clear picture of what they own, owe, earn, and spend.
That matters whether you’re:
- trying to reach an agreement,
- preparing for mediation,
- working toward a Consent Order,
- or going through the court process.
How to use our “finance after separation” guide
You don’t need everything on day one. Only gather documents and information if it is safe for you to do so.
Start with:
- the core list, which is most useful in almost every case
- anything that applies from the extra sections
- keep it simple: one folder, one place, one version
If you book a Strategy Session, this also helps you get more value from your time.
Step 1: Build your “money snapshot”
Before documents, write down rough answers to these:
- Do you own property in the UK? Overseas?
- Are there pensions?
- Are there savings, investments, or crypto?
- Are there debts, such as credit cards, mortgage, loans, or car finance?
- Is there a business or self-employment income?
- Are there family gifts or loans that helped with property or living costs?
- Are there valuable items you consider personal or family-owned, such as gold jewellery?
You’re not trying to be perfect here — just creating a map.
Step 2: Gather the core documents
Start here
Bank accounts
Personal and joint accounts
- Recent bank statements for all accounts you use
- Any savings accounts, even small ones
- Any online accounts, such as Monzo, Starling, or Revolut, if used
Tip: If you’re worried about how much to collect, start with the most recent statements you can access and build from there. If money is being moved, keep records and get legal advice promptly — early steps can help protect your position.
Income
- Recent payslips
- Latest P60, if you have one
- If self-employed: recent accounts, tax returns, or an income summary
- Benefits statements, if relevant
Housing
If you own a home:
- Latest mortgage statement
- Basic property estimate, such as an estate agent estimate, online estimate, or valuation if already done
- Evidence of deposit source, if relevant
If you rent:
- Tenancy agreement
- Latest rent amount
Debts
- Credit card statements
- Loan agreements or balances
- Car finance statements
- Any personal guarantees, if you’ve signed them
Pensions
- Pension statements
- If a pension valuation is requested in a formal process, you may need a Cash Equivalent Value (CEV) from the provider
Step 3: The “often missed” areas
These can cause delays later.
Business interests
If you own a business or have shares:
- Companies House record or share certificate, if available
- Any shareholder or partnership agreement
- Recent accounts or bookkeeping summary
- Any evidence of dividends or drawings
Overseas assets
If there’s property or assets outside the UK:
- Any title documents you have
- Basic details: location, who holds it, approximate value
- Any rental income evidence
- If documents aren’t in English, keep what you have — translations can come later
Digital assets
If you hold crypto or other digital assets:
- Exchange statements or transaction history
- Wallet screenshots only help if they clearly show balances and ownership
Step 4: Costs of living
Many financial discussions turn on what life realistically costs going forward.
Start simple:
- housing, including rent or mortgage and bills
- childcare and school costs, if relevant
- food and travel
- insurance
- debt repayments
- basic personal spending
You don’t need a perfect budget — you need something honest enough to work from.
Family finances
Many families have support structures that don’t show up neatly on paperwork. That doesn’t make them “less real” — it just means they’re easier to misunderstand later.
Family gifts and loans
Especially for deposits
If family helped with a deposit or large cost:
- keep bank transfers if possible
- keep any messages, emails, or notes that explain whether it was a gift or a loan
- if there is a gift letter, keep it
- if it was informal, write down what was said and when, even a simple note helps
Gold jewellery and family items
Gold jewellery is often personal, cultural, and significant — and people can feel strongly about it.
If you want to protect gold or valuables:
- list what exists, even roughly
- note whether it was gifted, inherited, or bought
- keep any receipts, photos, valuations, or insurance schedules if available
- if it was gifted at a wedding, note who it came from, if known
Tip: Photos taken now can be surprisingly useful later.
Cash gifts and informal support
If family support has been cash-based, for example ongoing help with living costs:
- note what was paid, how often, and why
- keep any evidence you have, such as messages, transfers, or receipts
- don’t panic if it’s informal — the goal is clarity, not perfection
Step 5: Keep it organised
Create one folder called:
Financial Disclosure – [Your Name]
Inside, create folders:
- Banking
- Income
- Property
- Debts
- Pensions
- Business
- Overseas assets
- Valuables
- Living costs
If you can, save documents as PDFs and name them clearly:
- “Bank statement – Joint account – Jan 2026”
- “Mortgage statement – Feb 2026”
- “Pension statement – Provider – 2025”
Step 6: When you’re ready, what happens next
Some people use this guide just to get organised.
Others use it to:
- prepare for mediation or negotiation
- move toward a Consent Order
- get advice in a Strategy Session
- understand what a fair outcome might look like
If you want solicitor guidance on how your finances are likely to be viewed, what to prioritise, and what the best route is, a Strategy Session can help you plan your next move.
Note: This guide is general information designed to help you get organised. Every situation is different and legal outcomes depend on your circumstances.