Separation Agreement — Word & PDF Template

This Separation Agreement helps a married couple or civil partners record how they will divide property, finances and responsibilities when they separate. It documents arrangements for the family home, mortgage, maintenance and children, and the financial settlement they intend. It is a contract, not a court order: it does not end the marriage or civil partnership, a court is not bound by it, and it only carries weight where both had independent advice and gave full disclosure.

Who is this template for?

It is intended for married couples and civil partners who are separating and want a clear written record of their agreed arrangements. It is often used before or alongside divorce proceedings and where independent legal advice is being taken.

What does the template include?

The agreement is organised into numbered clauses and addresses the main issues on separation:

• Important Notice — that it is a contract and not a court order, that a divorce or dissolution is separate, and the advice to take independent legal advice.
• Parties — the separating individuals.
• Date of Separation — the agreed date the couple separated.
• Matrimonial Home — arrangements for the family home.
• Mortgage — responsibility for mortgage payments.
• Other Property and Assets — division of remaining assets.
• Debts and Liabilities — who is responsible for which debts.
• Maintenance and Financial Support — spousal and ongoing support.
• Children — arrangements and provision for children.
• Full and Final Settlement — the parties’ intention to settle their financial claims, which cannot stop either side applying to court for a financial order. A consent order is needed to give the terms the force of a court order, and pension rights can be shared only by a court pension sharing order.
• Disclosure — confirmation of financial disclosure.
• Independent Legal Advice — tick boxes recording whether each party took independent legal advice or chose not to.
• Governing Law — England and Wales jurisdiction.
• Signatures — signatures, with a witness for each party.

Easy to customise

The template works in Microsoft Word, Google Docs and LibreOffice. Simply fill in the highlighted fields, tick the relevant checkboxes and edit any clauses to suit your arrangement. No special software is required.

Format and scope

The document downloads as an editable Word (.docx) file and a PDF, formatted to A4. It is drafted for use in England and Wales with light, general legal references.