What is a separation agreement?

A separation agreement is a written document drafted before or after married couples or adult interrelationship partners separate. A separation agreement includes clauses and terms related to the particulars of the parties involved such as assets, liabilities, financial disclosure, child support, and spousal/partner support.

A separation agreement is therefore an all-encompassing document with terms covering the interests of both parties guiding them on how to proceed with life after the split. 

It is important for most separated couples to have a document in place to specify all the aspects of the separation. 

For a separation agreement to be legal each party must be represented by their own independent lawyer who signs and endorses the final agreement. There are circumstances that do not require a separation agreement before a divorce or a separation. Our experienced lawyers at Shim Law would be able to tell whether your situation warrants a separation agreement.

Why do I need a Separation Agreement?

Few people do not think they need any form of an agreement prior to their divorce or separation from their common-law partner. However, each party to the divorce or separation usually has a set of expectations on how their assets and liabilities should be divided, who should get the custody of children, receive child support, and who should pay spousal /partner support. What makes this complicated is that parties’ expectations usually conflict with one another’s and if left unresolved this conflict could remain to haunt you years after separation. Even when parties generally agree on certain terms during their divorce/separation they tend to divert from those terms years down the road if not written clearly and precisely.  So putting separation agreement in writing prevents any future misunderstanding that might arise from child custody, spousal entitlements, assets, and liabilities. Thus, here below  are some of the reasons why you should seriously consider having a separation agreement written prior to finally splitting:

• If properly executed, a separation agreement acts as a buffer between the qualms in your past life and your future new life. It regulates the issues in your past life and reduces the chances of them affecting your future relationship and happiness. 
• Separation Agreement addresses critical elements  surrounding your separation such as the welfare and future of the children, determines who gets child custody and how much access the non-custodial parent should have, who pays child support, how much and how the child support shall be paid
• A good Separation Agreement helps to ensure that your spousal arrangements are adhered to while you live separately in the future.
• A separation agreement is useful proof when conducting post-separation transactions with Canada Revenue Agency, your employer, as well as the bank.
• A good Separation Agreement can help guide your divorce arrangements as you determine what is acceptable and what is not for your family.

Our team of experienced family law experts at Shim law can help determine what you need at every stage of your marriage or separation to protect your interest. Do not take the risk of allowing your past dilemma and failures to spill over to spoil your present relationship and future happiness. 

If you would like further information on; Separation Agreement, Prenuptial Agreement, Post Nuptial Agreement, Divorce, Child Support, Spousal Support, Stay of Maintenance Enforcement Program  (MEP),  Custody, Child Guardianship, Apprehension Order, Temporary Guardianship Order (TGO), and Permanent Guardianship Order.

Please contact us at Shim Law Now.

Email me at [email protected] or call me at 403-476-2011 (ext. 109)

We can serve you in English, French, and Chinese (Mandarin) 

在离开配偶或普通法上的伴侣之前，我是否应该签署分居协议?

什么是分居协议？

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分居协议是夫妻或普通法上的伴侣分开后起草的一份书面文件。该协议包括双方财产、负债、财务状况、子女抚养费和配偶/伴侣赡养费等细节有关的条款。

因此，分居协议是一份包罗一切的文件，其中的条款涵盖双方的利益，指导他们在分居后如何继续生活。

对于大多数分居夫妇来说，有一份包含分居所有方面的文件是很重要的。

为了使分居协议合法，双方必须由各自独立的律师代表签署直至最终协议。有些情况在分居前不需要该协议。在Shim Law我们经验丰富的律师能够判断你的情况是否需要一份分居协议。

为什么需要分居协议呢？

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有些人在离婚或与普通法伴侣分居前不会考虑分居协议。然而，分居双方通常对如何分配资产和债务、谁应获得子女抚养权、谁应支付配偶/伴侣赡养费等问题都有一系列预期。让情况变得复杂的是，双方的期望通常会相互冲突，如果不解决，这种冲突可能会在你们分居多年后仍然困扰着你们。

即使双方在分居期间一般都同意某些条款，但他们往往会在多年后偏离这些条款(如果没有明文规定的话)。因此，将分居协议以书面形式签署，可以避免未来在子女监护权、配偶权利、资产和负债方面可能产生的任何误解。这些就是为什么你应该有一份分居协议的原因

• •如果执行得当，分居协议可以作为你过去生活和新生活之间的缓冲。它控制了你过去生活中的问题，减少了它们影响你未来幸福的机会；
• •分居协议涉及关键因素关于儿童福利和未来决定谁获得孩子的监护权，非监护权父母有多少机会，谁支付子女抚养费，以及子女抚养费应如何支付；
• •一份好的分居协议有助于确保在你们分开居住时遵守配偶的安排；
• •分居协议是与加拿大税务局、你的雇主以及银行进行分居后交易的有用证明；
• •一份好的分居协议可以帮助指导你的离婚协议因为你可以决定什么对你的家庭来说是可以接受的，什么是不能接受的。

在Shim Law，我们经验丰富的家庭法律师们可以帮助你确定在婚姻或分居的每个阶段需要什么，以保护你的利益。

如果你想了解更多的信息;分居协议、婚前协议、婚后协议、离婚、子女抚养费、配偶赡养费、赡养暂缓执行计划、监护、子女监护、紧急监护令、临时监护令及永久监护令。

请随时与我们联系

我的电子邮件地址是[email protected]或致电403-476-2011 (ext. 109)

我们可以用英语、法语和汉语为您服务。

About Louis

As a lawyer, Louis has appeared in all three levels of courts in Alberta (The Provincial  Court, Court of Queen’s Bench, and the Appeal Court)  He is passionate about Law practice and committed to finding the best solution to your legal needs.

In his spare time, Louis likes to make new friends and explore foreign cultures

He can be reached at [email protected] or 403-476-2011