SEPARATION AGREEMENTS IN BURLINGTON & OAKVILLE, ONTARIO
A Clear Agreement Can Make Moving Forward Feel a Lot Simpler.
When you separate, there are a lot of decisions to make.
What happens with the house?
How will parenting work?
Will there be child support or spousal support?
How will assets and debts be divided?
A Separation Agreement puts those decisions in writing so both parties have a clear understanding of what has been agreed upon.
At Divorce Is Simple, we help couples in Burlington, Oakville and across Ontario work through the details and prepare a comprehensive Separation Agreement as part of the mediation process.
You do not have to figure everything out before you call us.
We help you understand what needs to happen, work through the decisions and put the agreement together.
Divorce Is Simple. Because sometimes the process really can be.
What Is a Separation Agreement in Ontario?
A Separation Agreement is a written agreement between two people who have separated or are planning to separate.
It outlines the decisions you have made about the important issues arising from your separation.
The goal is to create clarity around what happens next.
Instead of relying on verbal conversations or informal arrangements, your decisions are documented in one place.
Depending on your circumstances, a Separation Agreement may address:
Parenting arrangements
Parenting time
Decision-making responsibilities
Child support
Spousal support
The matrimonial home
Property division
Assets and debts
Pensions and investments
Financial obligations
Insurance
Future dispute resolution
Other terms specific to your family
Separation Agreements in Burlington & Oakville
Divorce Is Simple helps couples in Burlington, Oakville and across Ontario work through the decisions required to create a Separation Agreement.
Some couples come to us already agreeing on most of the major issues.
Others are not sure where to begin.
Both are completely normal.
You do not need to arrive with a finished agreement.
We can help you determine what needs to be discussed, organize the information and work through the outstanding decisions as part of the mediation process.
Looking for help with a Separation Agreement in Burlington or Oakville? Start with a conversation.
Why Do You Need a Separation Agreement?
A Separation Agreement gives both parties a clear written record of the arrangements you have made.
Without one, it can be easy for misunderstandings to happen later.
You may remember a conversation differently.
Circumstances may change.
Or an issue you thought was settled may come up again.
A comprehensive Separation Agreement can help reduce uncertainty by clearly documenting the terms of your separation.
What Can Be Included in a Separation Agreement?
Every family is different, which means every Separation Agreement will look a little different too.
Here are some of the most common areas that may be addressed.
Parenting
If you have children, your agreement may include details about parenting time, schedules, holidays, decision-making responsibilities and communication.
A more detailed Parenting Plan can also form part of your overall agreement.
Child Support
Your Separation Agreement can set out the terms relating to child support and other expenses associated with your children.
Spousal Support
Where applicable, the agreement can document any arrangements relating to spousal support.
The Matrimonial Home
You may need to decide whether one person will remain in the home, whether the property will be sold or how equity will be addressed.
Property and Assets
The agreement may address property, investments, savings, vehicles, pensions and other assets.
Debts
Loans, credit cards, lines of credit and other financial obligations may also need to be divided or addressed.
Future Responsibilities
Your agreement can also establish how certain matters will be handled moving forward and what will happen if a disagreement arises.
Financial Disclosure Comes First
Before making important financial decisions, both parties need appropriate financial information.
We help you understand what financial information needs to be gathered so the decisions made during mediation are based on a clearer financial picture.
That may include details about:
Income
Bank accounts
Investments
Pensions
Property
Mortgages
Loans
Credit cards
OUR PROCESS
How the Separation Agreement Process Works
1
Start With a Conversation
Your first step is simply to explain where things currently stand.
You do not need to know exactly what service you need or have every document ready.
We’ll help you understand the process and what happens next.
2
Gather the Information
Where financial disclosure is required, both parties gather the relevant documents and information.
This helps create the foundation for informed discussions.
3
Work Through the Decisions
During mediation, we help you work through the issues that still need to be resolved.
That may include parenting, support, property, finances or other arrangements.
4
Prepare the Separation Agreement
Once terms have been agreed upon, they are documented in a comprehensive Separation Agreement.
The agreement reflects the decisions reached through the mediation process.
5
Independent Legal Advice
Where included in your package, each party has the opportunity to receive Independent Legal Advice before signing.
This allows each person to review the agreement and understand its legal implications before it is finalized.
6
Finalize and Move Forward
Once the Separation Agreement is complete, you have a written framework for the arrangements you have made.
From there, we can help you understand any remaining steps in the separation or divorce process.
What If We Already Agree on Everything?
That can make the process much simpler.
If you and your spouse have already agreed on most or all of the major issues, we can help organize those decisions and prepare the Separation Agreement.
The important part is making sure the agreement clearly reflects what both of you intend.
Even when there is little conflict, documenting the terms properly can help prevent misunderstandings later.
What If We Still Disagree on Some Issues?
That is very common.
You do not need to wait until every issue has been resolved before reaching out.
Mediation gives you a structured process for working through areas where you still disagree.
The goal is to identify the issues, understand the options and work toward terms both parties can accept.
Do We Need Lawyers?
Independent Legal Advice is often an important part of finalizing a Separation Agreement.
Where Independent Legal Advice is included in your package, each spouse has the opportunity to speak with a lawyer before signing.
This gives each person the opportunity to review the terms and understand the legal implications of the agreement.
You do not need to manage that entire process on your own.
Separation Agreements Are Included in Our Packages
You do not need to arrange a Separation Agreement as a separate service.
Our divorce mediation packages are designed to help you work through the major issues arising from your separation and document the terms once agreements have been reached.
The goal is to keep the process coordinated and easier to understand from beginning to end.
You do not need to know which package you need before you call us.
We’ll help you understand which level of support makes sense for your situation.
Depending on your package and circumstances, this may include:
Mediation
Parenting arrangements
Parenting Plans
Financial disclosure
Child support
Spousal support
Property division
Independent Legal Advice
Divorce filing support
Separation Agreement preparation
Separation Agreement vs. Divorce
A Separation Agreement and a divorce are not the same thing.
Your Separation Agreement deals with the practical and financial terms of your separation, such as parenting, support, property and finances.
A divorce legally ends the marriage.
For many couples, the Separation Agreement is an important step that happens before the divorce itself is finalized.
We can help you understand how the pieces fit together and what needs to happen next.
Looking for a Separation Agreement in Burlington or Oakville?
You do not have to figure out the agreement before you call us.
That’s what we’re here to help with.
We’ll help you understand what needs to be addressed, organize the financial information, work through the outstanding decisions and prepare a Separation Agreement that reflects the terms you have reached.
Whether you are looking for help with a Separation Agreement in Burlington, Oakville or elsewhere in Ontario, the first step can simply be a conversation.