Going through a separation with your spouse can be a difficult and stressful time. You may wish to consult an experienced family law lawyer to help you prepare and provide assistance at the various stages.
While a divorce refers to the termination a marriage, separation refers to the time spouses stop living together in a marriage-like relationship. For married spouses, a divorce order is granted after the spouses have lived separate and apart for one year.
Partners who are not married can still be common-law spouses if they have been cohabiting in a marriage-like relationship for two years or have children together while cohabiting. This applies to partners regardless of gender or sex. When a common-law spousal relationship ends, a divorce is not necessary – the relationship simply ends when the spouses separate.
Like a divorce, a separation between spouses triggers a series of legal concerns. In particular, spouses should have plans ready for:
- Parenting arrangements;
- Child support;
- Spousal support; and
- How the family property will be divided.
The lawyers at Jiwa Law Corporation can help you at each stage of this process. We offer experienced legal representation both inside and outside the courtroom. This can include providing honest, straightforward advice; advocating your best interests in negotiations or mediations; or fighting for you at trial, if necessary.
