Your Guide to the Financial Court Process eBook

A Clear Guide to the Financial Court Process in England and Wales 

If you are facing the prospect of going to court to resolve the finances following divorce, you may be wondering what happens next, what will be expected of you and how you can prepare. 

The financial court process can feel daunting, particularly if you have never experienced the Family Court before. There are unfamiliar terms, different hearings, important documents and deadlines to understand – all while dealing with the emotional and practical pressures of divorce. 

Your Guide to the Financial Court Process has been created to make things clearer. 

Written by Rhiannon Ford, Divorce Consultant and former family law solicitor, this practical eBook takes you through the financial court process in England and Wales step by step, explaining what happens and what you can expect in clear, straightforward language. 

Understand what happens at each stage 

Starting court proceedings does not necessarily mean your case will end at a Final Hearing. Negotiations can continue throughout the process, and many cases reach an agreement before the final stage. 

Understanding how the process works can help you feel more prepared, ask informed questions and know what may be coming next. 

Inside the eBook, you’ll discover: 

• When going to the Family Court for a financial settlement may become necessary.

• Alternatives to court, including Non-Court Dispute Resolution (NCDR).

• What happens before making a financial court application.

• The MIAM and Form A application. 

• Key things to understand about the Family Court.

• What happens at a First Directions Appointment (FDA).

• How to prepare for a Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) Hearing.

• What happens during settlement negotiations. 

• What to expect if your case progresses to a Final Hearing. 

• Practical ways to feel more organised and confident throughout the process.

Make the financial court process feel less daunting 

One of the hardest parts of going through financial court proceedings during divorce can simply be not knowing what is going to happen next. 

What will happen at the hearing? Will you need to speak? What is the difference between an FDA and an FDR? Does going to court mean a judge will definitely decide your financial settlement? 

This guide breaks the process down into manageable stages and explains unfamiliar terminology in plain English. 

Rather than trying to piece together information from different sources, you’ll have a practical guide that you can return to whenever you need a little more clarity. 

Who is this eBook for? 

This guide may be particularly helpful if you: 

• Are considering making a financial application to the Family Court following divorce 

• Have received notice that financial court proceedings have started 

• Are already going through the financial court process 

• Have an FDA, FDR or Final Hearing approaching 

• Feel anxious or unsure about what happens at Family Court 

• Want to better understand the information you receive from your solicitor 

• Prefer clear explanations without unnecessary legal jargon 

You don’t need to read the eBook from beginning to end. Simply dip into the relevant sections as your case progresses and use it as a reference whenever you need it. 

Professional guidance you can return to 

I have more than 25 years’ experience supporting people through divorce and separation, including my previous work as a family law solicitor. 

I know how overwhelming the financial court process can feel when you are also dealing with the emotional and practical pressures of divorce. 

I created this guide to take away some of that uncertainty and help you feel informed, prepared and more confident about what lies ahead. 

Format: Digital download (PDF)
Created by: Rhiannon Ford – Divorce Consultant & Former Family Law Solicitor

If you’d like personal guidance before your hearing, you may find my Witness Familiarisation Training, 1-to-1 Support, or Phone Clinic Sessions helpful. 

This eBook provides general information and guidance and does not replace individual legal advice.

Your eBook will be delivered immediately upon payment, either download directly from the website once paid or from the email you will receive straight to your inbox (please check your junk/spam folder)