Family law - separation

Joanna Wrigley LL.B. (Hons)
0113 320 5000
family@winstonsolicitors.co.uk

Some couples want to separate, but not divorce or dissolve their civil partnership straightaway.

You may not have been married a year, or may have just drifted apart and don't want to blame the other by referring to adultery, or behaviour that you find unreasonable and would prefer to divorce just on the basis of separation, after a couple of years.

You have three choices when you separate:

• to separate physically and take no legal steps

If you do so, you are not protected against a claim for money made by your husband or wife within a divorce. So if you get a better job, inherit money or buy a new home, these things are not protected financially in the event of a later divorce.

• Have a legally binding written agreement about money:

This is called a Deed of Separation which is prepared by a solicitor who will ensure that you follow legal guidelines to protect you from financial claims being made by your husband or wife within a divorce.

• To judicially separate

This legal process is not commonly relied upon. You remain married and follow a legal process similar to divorce. Few people judicially separate as many would then go on to divorce at a later stage, and so incur the cost of two different legal procedures.

Our family law services

For more information about our family legal services please click on the links below:

• Children
• Financial settlements
• Cohabitation
• Divorce
• Same Sex relationships
• International divorce and children issues
• Meet the Family Law Team

Further information

Speak to our family team, in confidence on 0113 320 5000.

Or if you are calling from outside the area, use lo-call 0845 890 2277.

Or email us directly on: family@winstonsolicitors.co.uk