How Do Consent Orders Work?
A plain-English walkthrough of what actually happens between agreeing on a split and having it approved by the court.
Consent orders turn a private agreement into something the court will enforce. The process itself is largely administrative once your agreement is settled - here's what it actually involves.
The process, step by step
You tell us what's agreed
Whether it's property, parenting, or both, we start from what you and your ex-partner have already worked out.
We draft the consent orders documents
Prepared to reflect your agreement accurately, in the format the court expects.
An independent family lawyer reviews them
Checked over before anything is filed, so it's properly prepared, not just filled in.
The documents are filed with the court
A judicial officer reviews your agreement on the papers - this generally doesn't require you to attend in person.
The court approves your orders
Once approved, your agreement becomes a legally enforceable court order.
How long does the whole process take?
Document preparation is usually the quickest part once we have everything we need from both of you. Court processing times vary and are outside our control - we'll give you a realistic estimate for your situation once we understand it, rather than a generic timeframe that might not hold up.
Ready to get started, or still deciding? See the Consent Orders page for pricing, or the DIY Kit if you'd rather prepare the paperwork yourself.