Family
What is a clean break order in divorce?
Where a link is marked *, it is a partner link — we receive commission at no extra cost to you. Links without a * earn us nothing. How we make money.
In short: A court order ending future financial claims between ex-spouses — including spousal maintenance — after divorce. Without it, either party could claim years later unless remarried.
Last reviewed:
Reviewed by Kaiser Khan
Clean break is not automatic — must be approved by the court.
Child maintenance is separate and cannot always be ended by clean break.
See divorce finances guide.
Primary source: gov.uk/money-property-when-relationship-ends
Part of our Family & care
This quick answer sits inside our wider family & care hub — with sub-guides, calculators and step-by-step explainers on the same topic.
Read the full family & care guide →Related reading
More in Family
Was this page useful?Stored locally on your device.