When you separate from your spouse, even if you do not file for divorce, you still face many of the same problems that divorced couples will. Whether you were married, to begin with or never married, separation comes with serious concerns. You still have to decide who will pay child support, spousal support, how you will split property, and how you will handle child custody. While you can try to separate on your own, it may help to have an attorney guide you.
Attorney’s Help with Visitation and Custody
If you have children, then you are going to have to think about visitation and custody agreements when you separate from your partner. Generally, it is in the best interests of your children to maintain meaningful contact with both parents. Together, you can work out a visitation schedule that will work for both you and your partner. An attorney, of course, can help lead these conversations. If you aren’t sure how to handle custody and visitation, then your lawyer can help you come up with a plan that benefits you and your children.
Attorney’s Help with Property Division
Property division can be one of the most complex aspects of any divorce or breakup. When one partner leaves, he or she may want certain assets. It is crucial that the two can decide which assets they want. Say that your partner leaves and takes some of the items with him or her. During a separation, you may not decide who will receive the items if you become fully divorced.
You need to discuss what items are temporarily being held by the other partner. For instance, say that the two of you share jewelry, electronics, or furniture, and your partner leaves with some of these items. You need to make sure that you state that the other partner can remove those items on a temporary basis. This way you can still discuss who receives what property. An attorney can help you decide on property division.
When you are in a partnership with another person, you share everything about your lives. So, when you decide it’s time to separate, there is a lot that you need to consider. When you split with your partner, it is crucial that you think about how to make your split as fair as possible. For help with your separation, you should consult with a divorce lawyer, like a family law lawyer in Arlington, VA, as soon as possible.
Thank you to the experts at May Law, LLP, for their time and input into family law.