Separation Agreement

A separation agreement is a legally binding contract between partners who have decided to live apart. It outlines arrangements for key areas such as financial obligations, property division, and childcare. This agreement allows couples to negotiate and agree upon these important issues in a formal setting, offering a period of reflection to decide if they wish to proceed with a divorce or dissolution of their civil partnership.

Each relationship is unique, and thus, every separation agreement must be custom-designed to fit the specific circumstances of the individuals involved. Here are key considerations your agreement can address:

• Financial Contributions: The agreement can specify how both parties will manage financial responsibilities, including rent, mortgages, and household bills, during the separation period.
• Debt Management: It outlines how any shared debts will be handled and divided between the partners.
• Property and Assets: The arrangement for dealing with the sale of property, division of proceeds, and handling of joint bank accounts or credit cards is detailed.
• Personal Belongings: The agreement can set terms for the division or allocation of jointly purchased items, such as vehicles and furniture.
• Maintenance Payments: It may include provisions for maintenance support for one partner and/or children.
• Child Arrangements: The agreement will specify children arrangements and visiting schedules for any children involved.

For a separation agreement to be considered enforceable by a court, it’s imperative that both parties have been fully transparent about their finances and assets. Therefore, seeking expert legal advice is critical in drafting an agreement that is fair and comprehensive.

The costs of separation agreements (drafting only) are from £750 + VAT (£900.00) to £1500.00 + VAT (£1800.00).