Separation Agreements in British Columbia

A separation agreement is a written contract between two people who are ending their relationship. Done well, it settles the important questions once, clearly, and without a judge. At Sena Law we draft, negotiate, and review separation agreements for married and unmarried couples across British Columbia.

A thorough agreement addresses parenting arrangements and parenting time, child support and spousal support, and how family property and family debt will be divided. It can also deal with the family home, pensions, businesses, and anything else that matters to your situation. For unmarried couples, an agreement is often the clearest way to settle rights that would otherwise be uncertain.

Under BC's Family Law Act, a court can set aside an agreement that was signed without full financial disclosure, under pressure, or on terms that are significantly unfair. A do-it-yourself agreement that seemed fine on signing day can unravel years later, at exactly the moment you need it to hold.

Independent legal advice protects both people. When each person understands their rights before signing, the agreement is far more likely to be respected and enforced. We act for clients drafting a new agreement, and we also provide independent legal advice on agreements prepared elsewhere.

We start with a consultation to understand what you and your former partner have discussed and where things stand. From there we exchange financial disclosure, negotiate any open issues, and prepare an agreement in plain language that reflects what was actually decided. If you and your former partner want help reaching those decisions first, mediation is often the natural starting point, and the agreement becomes its final step.

Most agreements are completed within a few weeks. You will always know the expected cost before we begin.