Free Separation Agreement Template

If you are preparing to separate from your spouse, a Separation Agreement can be used to set the terms for a division of assets. Create a Separation Agreement with our step-by-step template editor.

Templates created by legal professionals

Customize your documents quickly & easily

24/7 free phone & email customer support

Trusted by 12,608 users.

Would you like your Separation Agreement to be binding, including after divorce?

Last Update September 12th, 2024

Marital Separation Contract

Legal Separation Document

Marriage Separation Agreement

Fill forms in a few steps

Save, print, & download

Done in 5 minutes

Table of Contents:

What Is a Separation Agreement?

A Separation Agreement is a legal agreement used by 2 people in a marriage who have **decided to separate **while remaining legally married or before they petition for a divorce.

This written contract defines how the following will be allocated:

It also typicall mentions how other shared responsibilities, such as child custody or support, will be split up.

A Separation Agreement is also often referred to as:

Difference Between Separation, Legal Separation and Divorce

Ending a marriage can be a complicated matter, and there are different stages which both parties must go through to complete the process.

Stage Separation Legal Separation Divorce
Definition A couple has decided to live apart and remain legally married A couple lives apart through a court order but remains married The legal end to a marriage
Formality Informal Formal Informal
Duration Can be temporary or permanent Can be temporary or permanent Permanent
Possibility to Remarry Parties cannot remarry Parties cannot remarry Parties are free to remarry

Separation

If you decide to live apart from your partner, while still remaining legally married, this is known as a “separation” or “trial separation”.

This is an informal agreement between both spouses, and there are no judges or lawyers involved.

If the spouses have not yet decided to divorce, a Temporary Separation Agreement can be used to set the preliminary terms for a division of property and establish the rules of your separation and the rights of each spouse.

If the couple already has the intention to divorce then they are considered to be in a “permanent separation” by the law and a Permanent Separation Agreement can be drafted.

Legal Separation

On the other hand, a “legal separation" involves getting a court to approve your separation and to put together an official legal Separation Agreement. This requires filing a petition in family court.

While you will remain married, you won’t be able to marry anyone else until the divorce, but the financial connection you have to your spouse will be terminated.

Divorce

Finally, a “divorce” officially ends and legally dissolves a marriage. In this case, a court is required to approve this decision and draft an agreement dividing property and settling spouse rights.

When To Use a Separation Agreement

There are various situations in which a Separation Agreement can be used.

Whether you’re looking to legally separate from your spouse, seek a divorce, or separate informally, this legally binding document can be used to detail all aspects of a separation.

Here are some of the most common reasons to use a Separation Agreement:

What To Include in a Separation Agreement

A Separation Agreement includes various key terms, which can differ depending on what responsibilities the married couple wants to outline.

This agreement often addresses many of the same specifications as a divorce decree, such as:

How To Write a Separation Agreement

Writing a Separation Agreement is relatively straightforward.

By using LawDistrict’s step-by-step document builder, you can write your own Separation Agreement and then have it reviewed by a lawyer to make certain it meets your state’s requirements.

In certain states, a Separation Agreement must also be filed with the state when seeking legal separation or divorce, and it must be signed by both spouses.

Furthermore, a Separation Agreement must contain the following information for it to be legally valid:

Living Separate and Apart Meaning

If spouses are living separately and apart, this means they are residing in different locations without any intention to reconcile or resume a marital relationship and have the intention to divorce.

Living separately and apart is also a ground for divorce.

How To Get a Separation Agreement

To create your own Separation Agreement template, you will need to determine the terms of the separation with your spouse.

Both parties must also be honest and open about their financial situations.

Once you have finalized these details, you should draw up your document.

The agreement must be in writing, and it must be signed by both parties in the presence of a witness. Once your document is prepared, depending on your state of residence and what type of separation you will be using it for, you may need to file it with a local court.

With our Separation Agreement template, you can quickly create your own form to assist with your legal journey.

Sample Separation Agreement

It can be difficult to complete a Separation Agreement template without first seeing an example.

Review our sample below before you begin to get a clearer view of what a Separation Agreement looks like and to make the process of writing your own document more simple.