How to Fill in Form E Without a Solicitor — Section by Section

Form E is the financial statement you and your ex each have to fill in during the financial remedy process. It is the most important — and the most time-consuming — document in the whole process. This guide walks you through it section by section, so you know exactly what to put where.

What is Form E?

Form E is a 28-page court form that gives a complete picture of your finances. Both you and your ex must each fill in your own copy. It covers everything: income, property, savings, pensions, debts, and living expenses.

You sign a statement of truth at the end confirming the information is honest and complete. This is a legal declaration — treat it seriously.

The form is available to download from GOV.UK and you can type directly into the PDF.

Why it matters

Form E is the foundation of the entire financial remedy process. The judge uses it to understand what there is to divide and what each person needs. If your Form E is incomplete, inaccurate, or poorly organised, it can delay your case, increase costs, and undermine your credibility with the judge.

Getting it right first time saves you stress later.

What happens — section by section

Here is what each section of Form E asks for and how to approach it.

Section 1 — General information

Your basic details: name, address, date of birth, date of marriage, names and dates of birth of children. Also asks about the date of separation and whether either of you intends to remarry or cohabit. Straightforward — just fill in the facts.

Section 2 — Financial details (Parts 2.1 to 2.20)

This is the longest section. Take your time.

2.1 — Real property (houses, land, etc.) List every property you own or have an interest in. Include the address, whose name it is in, current estimated value, outstanding mortgage, and your estimate of net equity. Get a recent estate agent valuation if you can.

2.2 — Bank accounts List every bank, building society, and savings account in your name or jointly held. Include current balances. You will need to attach the last 12 months of statements for every account.

2.3 — Investments Shares, ISAs, bonds, unit trusts, cryptocurrency — anything held as an investment.

2.4 — Life insurance policies Details of any policies with a surrender value.

2.5 — Business interests If you own or have a share in a business, this section needs details including turnover, net profit, and your estimate of value. Business interests can be complex — if the business is significant, consider getting an accountant to help.

2.6 — Pensions List every pension you have — workplace, personal, state pension. For defined benefit (final salary) pensions, you need a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV). Request this from your pension provider now — it can take weeks to arrive. For defined contribution pensions, the value is the current fund value on your latest statement.

2.7 — Other assets Anything valuable not covered above: vehicles, jewellery, antiques, collections. You do not need to list every household item — focus on things worth over about 500 pounds.

2.8 to 2.12 — Liabilities and debts Mortgages, loans, credit cards, money owed to family, tax liabilities. List them all with current balances and monthly payments.

2.13 — Income Your employment income (gross and net), any self-employment income, rental income, benefits, maintenance received. Attach your last three payslips and your most recent P60. If self-employed, attach your last two years of accounts and tax returns.

2.14 — Needs and living expenses Your monthly budget — housing costs, utilities, food, transport, childcare, clothing, etc. Be realistic. The court does not expect you to live on nothing, but inflating your expenses will not help your credibility.

2.15 to 2.17 — Other financial resources and expectations Include anything you expect to receive: inheritance, bonus, redundancy, property settlements from other proceedings. Be honest — the court needs the full picture.

Section 3 — Requirements

This is where you set out what you are asking for. What financial order do you want? Are you seeking a lump sum, property transfer, pension sharing, maintenance? Be specific but realistic.

Section 4 — Other information

Anything else the court should know. If there are special circumstances — health issues, caring responsibilities, anything unusual — put it here.

Section 5 — Statement of truth

You sign to confirm everything is true, complete, and accurate. Read it before you sign. If you are filing the form digitally, you still make this declaration.

What you need to do

1. Download Form E from GOV.UK.
2. Gather your documents first. Before you start filling in the form, collect:
   • Last 12 months of bank statements for every account
   • Last 3 payslips and most recent P60
   • Mortgage statements
   • Pension statements and CETVs
   • Any property valuations
   • Tax returns if self-employed (last 2 years)
   • Credit card and loan statements
3. Fill in every section. If a section does not apply to you, write "N/A" — do not leave it blank.
4. Attach all supporting documents in the order they appear in the form.
5. Paginate your bundle. Number every page of your documents sequentially. The court and the other side need to be able to find things quickly.
6. Keep a copy of everything you file.
7. File on time. The court will set a deadline for filing Form E, usually 35 days before the First Directions Appointment. Missing the deadline can result in sanctions.

What could go wrong

• Leaving sections blank. The judge will ask about gaps. It looks like you are hiding something, even if you just forgot.
• Not attaching supporting documents. The form without documents is almost useless. You will be sent away to do it again.
• Forgetting pensions. Pensions are frequently the most valuable asset after property. Not declaring a pension is a serious omission.
• Not requesting a CETV early enough. Pension providers can take up to 3 months. Request your CETV as soon as divorce is on the table.
• Rounding numbers or guessing. Use exact figures from statements. If you genuinely do not know a value, say so and explain why.
• Not updating the form. If your circumstances change between filing Form E and the hearing, you must tell the court.

Where to get help

• Support Through Court — Free, in-person help at court buildings for people without a lawyer: supportthroughcourt.org
• Citizens Advice — General advice on the financial remedy process: citizensadvice.org.uk
• Advicenow — Practical guides for litigants in person: advicenow.org.uk
• HMCTS helpline — For questions about court procedures: 0300 303 0642

Official sources

• Form E — Financial statement (GOV.UK)
• Form E guidance notes
• Family Procedure Rules 2010 — Part 9 (financial remedy)
• Practice Direction 9A — Financial remedy
• Money and property when a relationship ends (GOV.UK)

This guide is legal information, not legal advice. If you have complex finances — a business, overseas assets, trusts, or multiple pensions — consider getting at least one session of professional advice before filing.