To make a Separation Agreement, you and your partner will need to come to an agreement about how you want to handle all of your finances, childcare and anything else that might change now you’re separated.
Once you’ve written your agreements down, you can ask a Family Law Solicitor to review it and draw it up as a legal document (although it’s important to remember that this doesn’t make the agreement legally binding). It’s a good idea to get independent legal advice before you sign your Separation Agreement as it is such an important document.
If you’re not sure how to arrange your finances, or need help with any part of your Separation Agreement, speak to one of our expert Divorce Solicitors today.
We're rated‘Excellent’A Separation Agreement is a good way of sorting out your finances if you are either unmarried partners or wish to agree what will happen with your finances before getting a divorce. This might be a good option for you if you and your partner have not yet decided if you want a divorce, or if you simply can’t get a divorce right now.
The last year has been difficult for many couples, with the effects of the pandemic being felt by lots of people. But divorce can seem very final and it’s not a bad thing to consider your options before making such a big decision.
The Coronavirus pandemic may also have had a huge financial impact, so you may not be able to afford the legal fees associated with a divorce and to divide your matrimonial finances at the moment. A Separation Agreement can be a much cheaper and can be less permanent option.
Our Divorce Solicitors are experienced and understanding. We have been working throughout the pandemic and can help you and your former partner come to a financial agreement. We’ll get to know you and your situation and tailor our advice to your needs.
A Separation Agreement is a legal document that usually sets out your financial arrangements. You can include things like:
You might want to include other things too, depending on your circumstances.
Your Separation Agreement should ideally set out any financial arrangements that you would put in place if you were getting a divorce.
It’s important to know that if you get a divorce later on, a Separation Agreement doesn’t prevent an application for financial remedy being made. The Court will look at your financial situation as it is at the time of your divorce application and if there has been a change of circumstances, the Separation Agreement may no longer be used.
If there hasn’t been any significant change and the Separation Agreement has been entered into correctly, the Court will be more than likely to uphold the agreement.
But if your arrangements still seem fair and reasonable for both of you when you divorce, a Divorce Solicitor can help you turn the terms of your Separation Agreement into a Consent Order. A Consent Order is a type of Financial Order that is legally binding.
Separation Agreements can last as long as you need them to if you and your partner stay separated.
Many couples use a Separation Agreement where they haven’t been married for longer than a year, as you can’t get a divorce if this is the case.
Some people don’t want to use one of the fault-based Grounds for Divorce and so enter into a Separation Agreement for a period of 2 years, so they can issue divorce proceedings on the ground of ‘2 Years Separation with Consent’ when the time comes.
But your Separation Agreement can last as long as you need it to.
You can draw up a Separation Agreement yourself, but you may need to pay for any legal help you get. This will depend on how much help you need and who you ask.
It’s important to remember that expert legal advice and getting your Separation Agreement drawn up by a Solicitor could be priceless. This is because a Separation Agreement is a very important document so you want to make sure you get it right.
And while it isn’t legally binding, it would be harder to justify breaking the terms of your Separation Agreement in Court if you had a Solicitor draw your agreements up as a legal document when you made it.
You don’t need a Solicitor to help you with a Separation Agreement, but there are benefits.
As well as making your Separation Agreement into a more official legal document, getting help from a Family Law Solicitor could:
We know how emotional separating can be, especially when there are assets and sometimes children involved.
But sometimes it’s hard to agree on your finances.
If you and your partner can’t see eye to eye, one of our expert Divorce Solicitors can help you come to an agreement. Some of our Family Law Solicitors are members of Resolution, which means we are experts at resolving conflict between separating couples. We can also advise on any part of separating that you’re not sure about and reassure you every step of the way.
Congratulations to Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton who recently got married after around 5 years together. This will be Gwen’s second marriage and Blake’s third marriage, which just goes to show that there can be life after divorce and that there is always time to start a new chapter.
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