Separation Agreements and In-Home Separation

Posted on Aug 17, 2010 by Hofheimer Family Law

If you’re a Virginia woman considering a divorce, you have the option of choosing an in-home separation. While in-home separation isn’t right for everyone and is not generally recommended, it does have some benefits for certain couples. Your Virginia divorce attorney will help you determine whether in-home separation is a feasible option for you.

During your in-home separation period, you and your spouse can negotiate a separation agreement.
A Virginia separation agreement is a contract that settles the important matters in a divorce, such as child custody, spousal support and division of property. A Virginia separation agreement can help your divorce proceedings move more quickly.

Because you and your spouse are living under the same roof in an in-home separation, you might choose to talk over what will go into the separation agreement yourselves. This can work if you and your spouse are good communicators and likely to be able to come to mutually satisfying decisions. If you need help with your negotiations, an experienced divorce mediator or collaborative divorce team can guide you through this important process.

If at the time of your divorce you and your spouse are still satisfied with the decisions you put into your Virginia separation agreement, they can also be put into effect in your divorce decree.

The point of a Virginia separation agreement is that is it’s something you both agree on and sign. Don’t sign a separation agreement your soon-to-be-ex has drawn up on his own or with his divorce lawyer without having it reviewed by your own Virginia divorce attorney.

To learn more about the challenges associated with an in-home separation visit our article library.

Throughout your divorce proceedings, you’ll naturally have a lot of questions specific to your circumstances. Get your questions answered by requesting a FREE copy of our guide, What Every Virginia Woman Should Know About Divorce, or reserving your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.

The Virginia divorce attorneys at Hofheimer Family Law Firm are committed to fighting for your rights, assisting in child custody disputes, and ensuring that you receive everything you are entitled to and need in order to start your new life.