If you and your ex-partner are separating or divorcing, you might want to get a separation agreement drawn up.
Separation agreements are different to 'legal separations' or 'judicial separations' which are used by people who might not want to divorce or dissolve their civil partnership for religious reasons.
A separation agreement is a legally-binding document that sets out what you and your ex-partner agree on. It can be enforced in the same way as a court order, and covers things like:
If you want to make a separation agreement you can use a solicitor to draw up formal papers, called a 'minute of agreement'. These set out what you agree with your partner. The solicitor will register these with the Books of Council and Session.
You can help to reduce what you pay a solicitor by writing down, in detail, the things you agree with each other and giving them to your solicitor.
These things include:
Solicitors charge for time and writing down what you agree should help make it quicker for them to sort out your separation agreement.
If you cannot agree with your partner you can get help from a mediator before you see a solicitor. A mediator can help you talk about things to help you both agree what you want to do.
You can also get free advice from Citizens Advice if you have any questions about making a separation agreement or splitting up with your partner.