Separation Agreement

Drafting Separation Agreements

There are two very distinct and essential parts to getting a divorce: the actual filing for divorce and the drafting and signing of a separation agreement.

A separation agreement is necessary if you have property and children.

How Fairway Can Help You

Once you have achieved resolution, our team of experts will help facilitate the drafting of your Separation Agreement. You can rest assured, it will stand the test of time. Contact us today.

Fairway is here to keep your costs and time down, so we also offer low cost divorce filing services.

Using ADR and Mediation to Start Separation Papers

The issues in divorce have not changed, but the laws have.

It used to be that if you were faced with a divorce, you had better run out and hire the best lawyer you could find. That was because the results in the courts were very much dependent on the Judge you had that day and the talent of your lawyer. Two things have changed that.

The first was the introduction of the updated Provincial Property Acts in the ’80s and ’90s and the Child Support and Spousal Support guidelines in the ’90s. The bottom line is that the goal posts you are negotiating between are quite narrow, Therefore, your outcome is more predictable regardless of whether you fight it out with lawyers or use an alternative dispute solution.

While it is possible to take a position and fight about specific issues, the cost associated with taking a hard stance is often more than what you gained. The best scenario for you is that you achieve a fair outcome whereby you received what was “just” within the eyes of the law and “fair” considering your personal situation. There are only two things in divorce: money and kids, and you want to ensure both are protected and that you keep as much of your net worth in your pocket as you can.

Alternative Dispute Resolution has become the standard.

A less expensive and increasingly popular way, often resulting in better outcomes is known as Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This methodology includes both mediation and arbitration. Mediation is a process in which a divorcing couple negotiate their issues with regards to money and parenting, with a neutral third party. The mediator helps the spouses negotiate and communicate but does not make decisions for them. Contrast this with an Arbitrator who makes the final decision much like a Judge but without that title or courts endorsement. The mediator will facilitate decisions based on the mediator’s expertise, and may add some direction in the area they are knowledgeable.

Mediation itself is not binding so that a party can disengage if necessary. The intention is that the parties come to a resolution on the issues through divorce mediation. Then, these decisions are drafted into the separation agreement which is signed in front of a lawyer and is legally binding.

Fairway Divorce Solutions services fall under the Alternative Dispute Resolution definition and use a proprietary model known as Independently Negotiated Resolution™ INR to bring resolution and agreement on all issues.

Financially Complicated Files are Suited to Mediation

There is still the belief that if the assets are complicated, you should hire a lawyer. If you have complex assets, you will likely need a financially savvy team, including at some point, getting Independent Legal Advice. Getting legal advice is prudent but using lawyers to negotiate the terms and outcomes is better suited to those who understand financials and the implications of different ways of splitting assets, i.e., tax. The team should include those who are experts in financial matters, accountants, business valuators and lawyers who can provide information with regards to the law and how it may apply to your case or cases like yours. Information and knowledge are key to good decision making, but fighting is not necessary.

At Fairway Divorce Solutions, our one-stop divorce office delivers the experts you need.

Separation agreement and what it should include:

• The agreed upon division of property and debt
• Your co-parenting plans
• Child Support Arrangements
• Spousal Support / Adult Interdependent Partner Support arrangements
• How you will resolve conflicts if they arise in the future
• Any other details of your separation that you feel are important

Do I need to use a mediation process or a lawyer to get a Separation Agreement?

The answer is no. While most couples need some help in achieving resolution on their issues, you may have reached a consensus on the issues without the support of any third party. If you have no children and simple property you can likely go straight to divorce filing and include your decisions as part of the application.

Our team at Fairway can draft a separation agreement and file for divorce.

Having a third party ensure you have not missed anything may be smart.

If you have achieved consensus but would feel more confident if a third party helped you ensure you did not overlook anything with regards to child support, custody, spousal support, property division, then Fairway offers a Fast Track service to assist you. You can rest assured that your agreement will stand the test of time and that you did not miss something important to protect your wellbeing in the future.

Check out Fairway Fast Track and see how it can work for you.

Fairway can work for you.

Fairway Divorce Solutions has completed thousands of cases resulting in legally binding agreements that stand the test of time.

Fairway Divorce Solutions’ experienced and dedicated expert negotiators are ready to assist you through the entire process. By being a neutral and objective third party, we will help you gather the information (financial disclosure), assist in assessing proposals and work with you to create a plan for your future. The focus is always on the wellbeing of your children and your financial assets. By working with us, your children will never be used as pawns, and you will avoid large legal bills.

Once you have come to a resolution, we will document all the issues into a comprehensive and legally binding written separation agreement. We can also help you contact an independent lawyer when needed. A written, and properly executed, separation agreement is your best shield against problems in the future and will help make sure your agreement stand the test of time.

Just a quick note to say thanks for all the extremely efficient handling of our separation agreement. Not only did we carefully navigate my concerns and our unique parental considerations, you authored an agreement whose thoroughness impressed my very experienced lawyer. Professional in every respect, you delivered on your promise of both timeline and budget. You and your staff managed the process with the utmost consideration, grace and integrity, during a time when I was most vulnerable. I would highly recommend you and Fairway as a legitimate alternative to traditional divorce.”

January 2016

While traditional mediation and collaborative law have brought us this far, Fairway is changing the way divorce happens and raising the bar in mediation and conflict resolution.