You're in the right place if…
If most of those sound like you, you almost certainly want consent orders — the most common and most affordable way to finalise a financial split.
“We agreed verbally — isn't that enough?”
Short answer: no. A verbal agreement, a handshake, even a signed letter between the two of you — none of those are binding. Without consent orders or a BFA, three things stay possible, even years from now.
Your former partner can come back for more
People's lives change. Without binding documents, they can lodge a claim — and the court will hear it. Pay rises, savings, inheritances, super, even property growth after separation can all still be on the table.
The bank won't refinance into one name
Banks almost always require a binding document before they'll move a mortgage and title into one person's name. Until then, both of you are still on the loan, and both of you are liable for it.
Joint debts stay joint
While there's no binding split, you're both 100% responsible for every joint debt. If your former partner stops paying, the lender comes for you.
Most separated couples choose consent orders
Once you've agreed how to split things, there are two ways to make it binding: consent orders or a Binding Financial Agreement. You pick one — not both. Here's how they compare.
Not sure? Talk to our AI on this page, or call us — we'll tell you which one fits in about five minutes.
Six steps, start to sealed
Get your price
Use the AI chat on this page, get an instant quote online, or call 1300 967 552. Free, no obligation, no booking required.
Enter your details
Tell us about your relationship, children, assets, debts, and how you've agreed to split everything. At your own pace, in your own time. Save and come back later.
Sign the Costs Agreement
Once you're ready, you sign the formal Costs Agreement with MKI Legal — this is the moment we become your lawyers.
Talk to your family lawyer
Your lawyer reviews everything, answers your questions, and confirms consent orders are right for your situation. If they're not, you get a full refund.
Documents prepared and signed
We draft the application and the orders. You read them, ask any questions, and then both of you sign.
We lodge with the court
We file with the Court. The court typically reviews and seals within 2–6 weeks. Once sealed, they're legally binding.
What it costs — fixed, published, in writing
Consent Orders
Traditional law firm
The things people worry about
“What if my former partner won't agree at the last minute?”
We give you a one-page outline of what the consent orders will say before we start drafting. Take it to your former partner on your timing. If you can't agree, you haven't paid for a draft you can't use. If the disagreement is small, our fixed-fee negotiation service can help. Most matters never get there.
“What if the AI gets something wrong?”
The AI helps us draft and organise. A real Australian family lawyer reviews every consent order before it's lodged — named, accountable, registered with the Law Society, and insured. If the document has a problem, the lawyer fixes it.
“What if the court rejects our agreement?”
A court registrar reviews every consent order against the “just and equitable” standard. Our lawyer reviews your matter before lodging to make sure it meets that standard. If we don't think the court will approve what you've agreed, we'll tell you up front — and your money is refundable at that stage.
Backed by MKI Legal. Real Australian family lawyers. Hundreds of consent orders prepared every year.
Want to read more before you decide?
Consent order questions
Technically yes — the court provides the form. In practice it's complex and easy to get wrong; rejections cause weeks of delay. We do this every day, at a fixed price, with a refund if we don't think it'll work.
No. You need to be separated. Divorce is a separate process and isn't required. (Married couples have 12 months after divorce to apply for a property division; de facto couples have 2 years from separation.)
No. For consent orders, only one party needs a lawyer. The other party can get their own advice if they want (we recommend a brief sanity check), but it isn't a legal requirement.
No — a lawyer can only act for one party. The other party can choose to get their own legal advice. The court approving the order is what protects both of you.
From signing the Costs Agreement to signed-and-ready-to-lodge: usually 2–4 weeks. Court approval after lodging: typically another 2–6 weeks.
House and mortgage, bank accounts and savings, superannuation (via a super split), cars, investments, shares, business interests, personal loans and credit card debts — the full asset and debt picture, divided clearly.
When the title transfers under sealed consent orders, the stamp duty can be as low as $20 — instead of the full transfer rate, which can be thousands of dollars.
Our lawyer will tell you at the review stage. If consent orders aren't right, we refund you and explain what would fit — a post-separation BFA, a court application, or a mediation referral.
Refinancing the family home? We have brokers too.
Most of our separated clients are also refinancing — moving the mortgage and the title into one name. We work with mortgage brokers who specialise in post-separation refinancing, at no extra cost to you. They speak banker; we speak law. You don't have to coordinate it.
