💔 From Divorce to Disaster: The Untold Dangers of Skipping a Clean Break Order.
- Anthony Davis
- Jun 21
- 3 min read
And why it could cost you—years or even decades later.
Divorce is hard enough without worrying about the future. You divide the assets, agree on who keeps what, maybe shake hands — and move on.
Right?
Wrong.
Unless you've got it sealed in a Clean Break Consent Order, your past can come back to haunt you — sometimes decades later.
Let us take you on a journey through three real-life stories where couples thought they were done, only to find out the law had other ideas.
📖 Story 1: "We Divorced in the 90s — So Why Was I Back in Court in 2023?"
Meet “Lara”, who thought everything was finalised when she divorced her husband in 1993. They signed a Deed of Separation, sorted the money, and never looked back.
Except… they never filed a Consent Order.
Fast forward 29 years.
Her ex-husband, now retired and wealthy, receives a court claim from Lara seeking spousal maintenance. He’s stunned. She argues their agreement was never sealed by a judge — so she’s entitled to more. And legally, she’s not wrong.
This real case (HAT v LAT [2023] EWFC 162) is a harsh reminder: informal agreements mean nothing without a formal Consent Order. There’s no statute of limitations. The financial claims can stay “alive” indefinitely — even after decades of silence.
Don’t leave it to chance.
🕵️ Story 2: "My Ex Hacked My Emails to Undo Our Agreement"
After a seemingly fair financial settlement, Mr Arbili discovered that his ex-wife might’ve hidden a luxury property in the South of France. Furious, he hacked into her emails to dig up evidence and tried to overturn the Consent Order.
The court’s response?Not only was the hacking illegal, but the order still stood.
In Arbili v Arbili [2015] EWCA Civ 542, the Court of Appeal made it crystal clear: a properly sealed Consent Order is exceptionally difficult to undo — even if you suspect foul play.
A clean break doesn’t just protect you from your ex — it protects you from yourself. Emotions pass. A legal order doesn’t.
👩⚖️ Story 3: "He Said He’d Never Come After My House. Then He Did."
In Barder v Barder (1987), a tragic case led to a wife receiving the marital home. Weeks later, she sadly passed away. The husband applied to the court to revisit the financial order, arguing the entire basis of their agreement had collapsed.
In rare cases like Barder, the court allows financial orders to be reopened — but only under very strict rules.
The twist? Even with those tragic circumstances, it took intense litigation to change the original agreement. That’s the power of a sealed Consent Order. Without one, the financial mess would’ve been even more complex.
💡 So, What’s the Lesson Here?
You may think you've settled things “amicably.”You might even have it all in writing. But if you don’t have a sealed Consent Order, you’re legally exposed.
Whether it’s:
A claim for maintenance years later,
An attempt to overturn a deal,
Or a future claim on property or pensions…
It’s all fair game — unless you’ve protected yourself.
🛡️ Protect Your Future with By Personal Touch
At By Personal Touch, we make it easy to finalise your divorce finances properly:
✅ Affordable, fixed-fee Consent Orders
✅ Expertly drafted, court-ready documents
✅ Friendly support — no expensive solicitors needed
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We’ve helped thousands of divorcing couples turn handshake deals into sealed, binding court orders — fast, and without the legal jargon.
✍️ Final Word: Divorce Should Be a Finish Line, Not a Cliff Edge
These stories aren’t urban myths. They’re real cases — with real consequences. Without a Clean Break Consent Order, your financial past can show up uninvited.
At By Personal Touch, we help you close the door for good — safely, affordably, and with total peace of mind.
🔐 Divorce might end the marriage — but only a sealed Consent Order ends the financial ties.
Visit www.bypersonaltouch.com today — and secure your clean break the right way.
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