How to Review Your Ex's Form E — What to Look For

Once your ex has filed their Form E, you need to go through it carefully. Their Form E is a sworn statement of their finances — everything they own, earn, owe, and expect to receive. This guide shows you how to review it, what red flags to look for, and what to do if something does not add up.

What is Form E?

Form E is the standard financial disclosure form used in financial remedy proceedings in England and Wales. Both you and your ex must fill one in. It covers everything: income, property, savings, pensions, debts, business interests, and living expenses.

Your ex has signed a statement of truth on their Form E. That means they are declaring under oath that the information is complete and accurate. If they have lied or left things out, that is a serious matter.

Why it matters

Financial remedy is built on one fundamental principle: full and frank disclosure. Both sides must lay their cards on the table. The court cannot divide things fairly if it does not know what there is to divide.

If your ex has undervalued assets, hidden income, or "forgotten" to mention things, any agreement or court order based on that incomplete picture could leave you significantly worse off. Spotting problems now — before the First Directions Appointment — puts you in the strongest position.

What happens

Here is how the disclosure and review process works:

1. Exchange of Form E

Both sides file and exchange their Form E at the same time (or close to it). This is sometimes done through the court, sometimes directly between parties or solicitors.

2. You review their Form E

This is where this guide comes in. You go through your ex's Form E section by section, comparing what they have said against what you know.

3. Questionnaire

After reviewing, you prepare a list of questions asking for more information or documents. These need to be focused and relevant.

4. First Directions Appointment (FDA)

The court deals with disclosure issues at the FDA. The judge will decide which questions must be answered and which documents must be provided.

5. Further disclosure

Your ex provides the answers and documents ordered by the court. You then have a clearer picture of the finances ahead of the Financial Dispute Resolution hearing (FDR).

What you need to do

Get a printed copy or a version you can write notes on. Then go through it section by section. Here is what to check:

Property (Section 2.1-2.2)

• Compare valuations to reality. Has your ex undervalued the family home or other properties? Check recent sold prices on Rightmove or Zoopla for similar properties in the same area.
• Check mortgage details. Do the mortgage figures match what you know? Request a recent mortgage statement if you are not sure.
• Look for missing properties. Do you know about any properties that are not listed? This includes properties held in other people's names or through a company.

Income (Section 2.3-2.4)

• Cross-check with what you know. Does the declared salary or income match their lifestyle? If they say they earn a modest amount but drive a new car, eat out regularly, and go on expensive holidays, something does not add up.
• Look at the payslips and tax returns. Form E should have these attached as supporting documents. Check they match the figures in the form.
• Self-employed income needs extra scrutiny. If your ex is self-employed or runs a business, their income can be harder to pin down. Look for patterns — has their declared income conveniently dropped since proceedings started?
• Check for other income sources. Rental income, dividends, freelance work, cash-in-hand work, cryptocurrency. Think about what you know from during the marriage.

Bank accounts and savings (Section 2.5-2.7)

• Are all accounts listed? Think about bank accounts you saw statements for during the marriage. Are they all there?
• Check the balances. Have any accounts been run down since separation? Large withdrawals shortly before or after separation can be a red flag.
• Look for missing accounts. ISAs, premium bonds, savings accounts with building societies, credit union accounts, cryptocurrency wallets.

Pensions (Section 2.8)

• Are all pensions declared? Many people have multiple pensions from different jobs. Think about your ex's employment history and check each employer's pension is listed.
• Check the valuations. Pensions should have a Cash Equivalent Value (CEV) or Cash Equivalent Transfer Value (CETV). These should come from the pension provider, not be estimates.
• Do not underestimate pensions. Pensions are often the second most valuable asset after the family home. A final salary (defined benefit) pension can be worth far more than the headline figure suggests.

Business interests (Section 2.9)

• Has the business been properly valued? If your ex owns or part-owns a business, its value should be included. A set of accounts is not the same as a valuation.
• Look at director's loans. Has your ex lent money to or borrowed money from their company? This can be used to hide assets.
• Check for recent changes. Has the business structure changed since separation? New directors, new shareholders, transfer of assets — these can be red flags.

Debts (Section 2.10)

• Are these genuine debts? Some people inflate their debts to reduce the pot available for sharing. Are there debts to family members that appeared out of nowhere?
• Check the amounts. Do the debt figures seem right compared to what you knew during the marriage?

Living expenses (Section 2.12)

• Are these realistic? Compare their declared expenses with the lifestyle you know they lead. If they claim to spend very little but you know they live comfortably, the figures may be downplayed to reduce what they appear to need.

General red flags

• Figures that do not match the supporting documents
• Vague answers or sections left blank
• Assets you know about that are not mentioned
• A sudden drop in income around the time of separation
• Large transfers or withdrawals from accounts before disclosure
• Debts to friends or family that you have never heard of
• An overall picture that simply does not match the lifestyle you lived together

What could go wrong

• Not reading it carefully enough. Form E is long and detailed. It is tempting to skim it, especially when you are stressed. Take your time. Read it more than once.
• Assuming it must be accurate because it is sworn. People lie on Form E. The statement of truth is meant to prevent that, but it does not always work. Trust what you know.
• Asking too many questions on the questionnaire. The court wants focused, proportionate questions. If you ask 50 questions about minor details, the judge will not be impressed. Focus on the things that actually matter financially.
• Missing the deadline. There is usually a court-set deadline for filing your questionnaire. Miss it and you may lose the chance to ask questions.
• Not keeping records. If you find something suspicious, note it down with a reference to the page and section. Keep a clear, organised record of your concerns.

Where to get help

• Citizens Advice — citizensadvice.org.uk or 0800 144 8848
• Support Through Court — free, independent, non-legal support at court (formerly Personal Support Unit) — supportthroughcourt.org
• Resolution — resolution.org.uk (find a family law solicitor who follows a non-confrontational approach)
• Many solicitors offer a free or fixed-fee initial consultation — even a single hour with a specialist can help you understand what to focus on

Official sources

• Form E — GOV.UK
• Financial remedy procedure — GOV.UK
• Family Procedure Rules 2010, Part 9 — Legislation.gov.uk
• Find a legal adviser — GOV.UK