If your relationship has broken down, but you are not yet ready to consider the possibility of divorce or civil partnership dissolution, a trial separation can be a good way to get a clearer idea of how you feel and whether you are truly ready for your relationship to end.
If your partner agrees to a trial separation, there are likely to be various practical issues you need to consider to ensure you and your family are taken care of during the separation. Our expert family lawyers have extensive experience guiding families through separation, including planning for the practical aspects of the arrangement.
We can help you agree the terms of the separation with your partner and create a legally binding separation agreement, setting out the terms of the separation. This provides assurance for everyone involved over the details of the separation, allowing you to focus your energies on reflecting on your relationship and what you want to happen next.
Get in touch with our separation agreement solicitors
For advice and support with any aspect of divorce and separation, please get in touch with our separation agreement solicitors by calling 0330 013 0381 or contact your local Crisp & Co office.
How separation agreements work
A separation agreement can be used when a couple who are married or in a civil partnership wish to separate, but have not yet decided whether they wish to divorce or dissolve their civil partnership.
The separation agreement can be used to set out various important practical matters that will need to be taken care of, such as:
- Where both spouses/civil partners will live
- Where any children you have together will live
- How the mortgage/rent on a shared property will be paid
- How any other shared costs, such as bills, will be paid
- What will happen to any joint accounts, investments etc.
When creating a legal separation agreement, it is absolutely essential to have expert legal advice and support from a family lawyer experienced in these matters.
Not only will this give you the reassurance that the agreement is fair, and all the necessary details have been taken care of, but by using a family lawyer trained in non-confrontational dispute resolution, you should also be able to keep the process amicable and minimise the potential for any conflict.
With the guidance of our expert solicitors, who are highly trained and experienced in non-confrontational family dispute resolution, we can help you create a separation agreement that works for you and your loved ones, protecting your interests and wellbeing.
We understand that these situations can be difficult to handle, which is why our separation solicitors will always approach your matter with sensitivity.
Non-confrontational family dispute resolution for separation
When agreeing a separation and the terms involved using a separation agreement, it is essential to do so in as amicable a way as possible to prevent any further deterioration in your relationship with your partner.
Our family lawyers are experts in non-confrontational dispute resolution, meaning we can help you agree the details of your separation quickly and cost-effectively while keeping conflict to a minimum and helping to protect your relationship.
Family mediation for separation – This is a popular choice for separation as it allows you and your partner to discuss and agree the details of your separation and separation agreement together with the support of a mediator, who acts as a neutral third party. This means you keep complete control of the process, while the mediator is there to help guide the discussions and prevent any potential conflict from escalating.
Collaborative law for separation – Where there are more complicated issues to resolve, collaborative law can offer a helpful alternative. This involves both you, your partner and your respective lawyers sitting down for a series of four-way meetings to negotiate the details of your separation. The benefit here is that you each have immediate access to legal advice from your own representatives, giving you confidence that your interests are protected at all times.
Whether you need support with a civil partnership separation agreement or a marriage separation agreement, we can help.