| What It Contains? | | | | order is not in place. |
| Anyone who files for mutual divorce, no matter how | | | | - Debt: If you and your spouse agree to equally share |
| improbable it might seem for them to have a future | | | | the debt taken out during the married life, it needs to |
| dispute, needs to have a consent order in place. Let us | | | | be mentioned in the consent order. Otherwise, if the |
| first analyse the various benefits of a consent order. | | | | loan was just taken under one of your names, then |
| This will help us identify the people for whom this | | | | the other person might easily get away from it. |
| agreement will prove to be beneficial. A consent order | | | | - Pension: Studies indicate that most of the women |
| might include but not limited to the following aspects of | | | | neglect pension sharing when reaching an agreement |
| financial arrangement: | | | | on divorce settlement. Reaching an agreement on |
| | | | sharing the spouse’s pension is important as it |
| 1. Sharing of property purchased during the marriage | | | | would become necessary to support them when they |
| 2. Child Maintenance | | | | grow old. It has to be taken seriously and included in |
| 3. Monthly maintenance | | | | the consent order to avoid poverty or helplessness |
| 4. Debts taken during the marriage towards mortgage, | | | | during old age. |
| etc. | | | | - Unemployed: If you have given up your job to take |
| 5. Sharing of other assets such as furniture in the | | | | care of children and family after your marriage, it is |
| house, etc. | | | | necessary to claim your fair share of monthly |
| 6. Personal property owned by them even before their | | | | maintenance from your spouse. The same needs to |
| marriage | | | | be included in the consent agreement in order to |
| 7. Pension sharing | | | | safeguard your interests and protect your future. |
| Who Needs Them Most? | | | | Without a written agreement in place, your spouse |
| Although a consent order is useful for all couples who | | | | might pay you less than the agreed amount and you |
| divorce after reaching a mutual agreement, the top | | | | might be forced to fight it out in court. This would be a |
| five instances when it becomes indispensable are as | | | | huge burden on your pocket considering the large fee |
| follows: | | | | that you need to pay for your legal counsel. |
| - Child Custody: Statistics indicate that the children | | | | Drawing a Consent Order |
| growing up with a single parent face financial difficulties | | | | A consent order can be drawn and submitted in court |
| and turn out to be high school or college dropouts. This | | | | with the signature of the divorced couple. Along with |
| is mainly due to the fact that with time, the | | | | this, a ‘Statement of Information’ needs to be |
| non-custodial parent loses contacts with the children | | | | submitted which contains details of all the assets and |
| and does not support them financially. A consent order | | | | earnings of the divorced couple. If the court decides |
| is necessary in cases, where the couple have one or | | | | that your agreement is fair, they would rubber stamp |
| more children, to protect their interests and avoid | | | | and send it back to you. |
| overburdening the custodial parent with all the | | | | So, in case of a divorce, make sure you have the |
| responsibilities. | | | | consent order in place. This would not only protect |
| - Running a Business: Although your spouse might | | | | your rights but also help to safeguard your child’s |
| have accepted to a reasonable arrangement, a huge | | | | interests too. Is it not a wise decision to have the |
| success in your business and subsequent wealth might | | | | agreement ready instead of going through the financial |
| tempt your ex into making fresh claims, if a consent | | | | and mental stress? |