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When a marriage or long-term relationship draws to a close, it is entirely natural for emotions to run high. However, taking a pragmatic and organised approach to your split can save you and your family a significant amount of heartache and financial strain in the long run.
A separation agreement provides a practical, clear framework for couples who have decided to live apart, but are not yet ready, or do not wish, to proceed with a formal divorce. At Davis Blank Furniss, our highly experienced separation agreement solicitors, led by Kirsty Morbey, offer empathetic, expert guidance to help you document your arrangements clearly, giving both parties certainty and peace of mind as you move forward.
If you need any legal advice or assistance with regards to family law, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.
The cost of a separation agreement varies depending on the complexity of your financial assets and whether both parties are broadly in agreement. Our legal separation solicitors will always provide transparent, upfront cost estimates based on your specific situation, before starting any drafting work.
You might need a separation agreement if you have decided to separate, but cannot yet apply for a divorce, or if you prefer not to legally end your marriage for religious, personal, or financial reasons but still require formal, legally recognised boundaries regarding your assets and children.
While a separation agreement is not a Family court order, it is a legally binding contract in contract law, if it is drafted correctly, entered into by both parties voluntarily, with full financial disclosure, and signed after both have received independent legal advice. It can also easily be converted into a consent order during future divorce proceedings.
A separation agreement typically includes clauses detailing how the family home and other properties will be managed, the division of cash, debts, vehicles and pensions, arrangements for spousal maintenance, and agreements regarding child where a child will live, child contact, and financial support.
The timeline depends largely on how quickly both parties can agree on the terms and provide their financial disclosure. If both sides are cooperative and transparent, a separation agreement can usually be drafted, negotiated, and finalised within a matter of weeks.
Yes, a separation agreement can be changed if both parties mutually agree to the alterations. Any amendments should be formally drafted into an updated deed by a solicitor, to ensure they remain legally enforceable. If circumstances change drastically, such as a change in income or health, the agreement may need to be renegotiated.
A separation agreement must be signed by both parties, and their signatures must be witnessed by an independent adult, who is not a family member or a party to the agreement itself. Your legal representative or an independent professional can act as a witness to validate the execution of the document.
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“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you personally for the ongoing support and assistance the firm has offered to our parents over the years. I hope also that we may be able to call on you if necessary in the future.”
“Jo always provides great service, understands our needs and delivers on her promises. Our needs are relatively simple but the complexity arises out of the volume of work and short time frames, Jo always delivers.”
“A big thank you to all who dealt with my wife’s claim… We would not hesitate to recommend Davis Blank Furniss to anyone that may be in a situation like we have been…”
“Before putting my case in Kirsty (Morbey)’s capable hands I’ve met a couple of other solicitors. None of them listen to me as intently as Kirsty and showed me as much empathy and understanding as she did. Simultaneously she was able to look at my case from legal perspective, explain all the options and follow each of our meetings with written summary of the discussed matters (in timely manner). Her advice was invaluable and led me to successfully ending the case matter (hopeful for good). I’m forever grateful for he work and would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for reliable, knowledgeable and committed solicitor”.
Our Manchester office is rated 5 stars on Google
If you need any legal advice or assistance with regards to personal or family law, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.
If you need any legal advice or assistance with regards to personal or family law, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.
If you need any legal advice or assistance from our Manchester office, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.
If you need any legal advice or assistance from our Glossop office, contact the Davis Blank Furniss team now.
