How A Legal Separation Agreement Can Be Used As A Basis For Your Divorce

Many couples decide they first prefer a legal separation instead of a divorce. In those situations, it is important to have an attorney draft a Legal Separation Agreement which will detail the terms and conditions of your separation. If you do not have a legal separation agreement, then although you may consider yourself “separated”, as far as the Courts are concerned, you are not “legally separated.”

A legal separation agreement will provide you protection and security. If you have children, it should contain child custody and child support provisions. The agreement should detail how your assets are divided and how your debts are paid. If you have retirement funds, pensions or other deferred assets, the agreement should also cover how these assets are distributed. The separation agreement can also have terms for spousal support, which is similar to alimony (spousal maintenance), where spousal support is for support while you are separated and not married. There are many other issues the separation agreement will address. Finally, you can also put in provisions on when a spouse can file for divorce (with certain restrictions).

It is important that an attorney draft the legal separation agreement, so that it is valid and enforceable by the courts.

Once you decide to get divorced, the legal separation agreement will become the backbone of the final divorce agreement. For the most part, you should not need a new agreement to be drafted, as the legal separation agreement can serve that purpose. However, your attorney will still need to file certain other documents that are specifically for your divorce.

David Badanes and the Badanes Law Office have drafted numerous separation agreements. If you are seeking a legal separation or to convert your separation into a divorce, then call the Badanes Law Office today. The Badanes Law Office has offices in Northport and Garden City with satellite offices in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Contact David Badanes and the Badanes Law Office at 631-239-1702, email at david@dbnylaw.com.