The standard financial statement each party completes in a financial remedy case. It sets out your assets, income, debts, and pension details, and underpins the duty of full and frank disclosure.
In Plain English
A detailed form where you list everything you own and owe, including property and pensions, to show your full financial situation.
This content reflects observational insights and lived community experiences. It does not constitute legal advice — always consult a qualified professional for your specific circumstances.
A "gap" is a common assumption people hold going into family court, set against what the court actually does. The bold line below is the assumption — not a fact. The reality underneath is what the court typically observes.
Gap #145
The assumption
My ex listed everything on Form E — the court has the full picture.
The reality
If you suspect property, savings, investments, pensions, business interests, or cryptocurrency have been left out or understated, you must flag it on your ES1. Silence is not the same as agreement — and you cannot raise it later if you don't raise it now.
Gap #263
The assumption
The value on my annual pension statement is what my pension is worth for the divorce settlement.
The reality
Financial disclosure (Form E) generally requires a Cash Equivalent Transfer Value, or CETV, not the fund value or projected pot shown on an ordinary annual statement. The CETV is a specific, formal valuation requested directly from the pension provider or scheme administrator, and it can differ from the statement figure. Getting the wrong number into a settlement can materially undervalue or overvalue what's actually one of the largest assets in many marriages.
Gap #282
The assumption
Crypto doesn't need to be disclosed.
The reality
Crypto is a financial asset like any other and must be disclosed on Form E in the same way as savings, shares or property. Treating it as invisible to the court is a common and risky misunderstanding, since non-disclosure can lead to adverse findings and costs.
Gap #363
The assumption
(Filing & Emailing the Court) I send my Form E to the court and the court passes it on.
The reality
Standard directions require each party to file Form E and exchange a copy with the other side on an agreed date, by post or email.
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