Surprise! I'm a single parent


Free Separation Agreement
July 19, 2009, 12:28 am
Filed under: economy

I am now the proud owner of a $1001 document that outlines who owns what between my ex and I. That’s cheap! But don’t think it didn’t hurt to transfer the money into the striped suited ones account.

We had waited six months for his lawyer to write a draft. Six months! If I was writing these for a living I’d have a basic template and a basic interview and I’d knock ’em out like buns in a bakery.

To get things moving along I surfed the net to find out what was required and wrote up a draft. Then I got the ex to read it and made some changes. Then I consulted the list of lawyers my colleagues had recommended and contacted the one with the best parking. I told the lawyer I didn’t want to waste money. We set a price. We added a few extras like some arrangements about what we do about Christmas.

Then off it went to his lawyer. A month passed. My ex came up with a change – the sentence he’d contributed to the document wasn’t what he meant. We made the change. Finally word came that the agreement was signed and ready for my X. I drive to my lawyer. Reading through it I saw that my ex and his lawyer have signed the earlier copy. If I’d signed it it would mean an extra ten thousand dollars for me.

I pointed it out. Yeah, I know.

We printed out the right copy I signed that and we sent it off to the sink hole of time management his lawyer seemed to be.

Thursday I heard that the document was completed. Anticlimax. Now we follow the agreement and maybe by the end of the month my house will be mine (and the banks). ‘

If you want a copy of my agreement to use to draft your own just let me know.




257 Comments so far
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  1. shane   Shane 11.07.11 @ 3:58 pm      

    This sounds too good to be true – I’d love a copy. thanks for offering to share.

  2. sonia.parker   Sonia Parker 11.07.11 @ 4:40 pm      

    Thanks for your story, I’m trying to draft my own agreement and would really appreciate a copy of yours.
    Sonia :-)

  3. wangbaide   Richard Wang 01.08.12 @ 4:59 pm      

    I would like to get a copy of yours. Thanks you very much for your offering.

  4. debzeb   wordmonger 01.08.12 @ 6:15 pm      

    I hope its helpful for you – I always say I wish we had put in a review period for the kids because 16 is along time to wait till you can choose by law where you live and also that we had put in arrangements about the joint liability of our dog. Vet bills can be expensive! It is winging its way to you now.

  5. nitahosie   Spryte 01.09.12 @ 1:40 am      

    Hey struggling to get this together and the lawyers just quote $800 to draft this up for me and I’d rather save this money now – would you still have a copy of the separation agreement to share please?

  6. r0byn007   Robyn 01.16.12 @ 12:22 pm      

    Hi
    I’d love one too if you are still providing them ..

  7. debzeb   wordmonger 01.18.12 @ 5:36 pm      

    No problems – coming to you now…….

  8. steve   Steve 01.23.12 @ 7:05 pm      

    Please send a copy. Thanks in advance.

  9. rousset   Fred 01.31.12 @ 7:16 pm      

    Hello, I’d be delighted to receive a copy, as I don’t really trust lawyers (bad experiences!), thanks

  10. arlar.johan   Johan Arlar 02.26.12 @ 1:09 pm      

    Would love one please

  11. brydie&liam   Brydie 03.04.12 @ 2:09 pm      

    Please send me a copy, as it would be very helpful.
    Cheers

  12. debzeb   wordmonger 03.05.12 @ 5:39 pm      

    ON its way :-)

  13. rhysisnothere   rhys 03.23.12 @ 12:41 am      

    hi,
    Could I get a copy of this too please.
    Thanks
    Rhys

  14. kaz1963   Carolyn 03.27.12 @ 2:12 am      

    We’d appreciate a copy please

  15. deborah.gush2   D Smith 03.28.12 @ 12:03 am      

    Hi – could you please send me a copy, much appreciated, thanks…

  16. Craigca   Oros 04.01.12 @ 5:59 pm      

    If still available, please forward me a copy, I’m heading in to see a lawyer this afternoon & I’ve been searching the web for some time for some form of “seperation agreement” template. (after all how different can we all be with 2 kids, 1 mortgage, 2 cars, usual c/card & finance debt etc) As you say, the lawyers seem to drag things out way too long, to what end I’m not sure

  17. cindyfoxcroft.411   Cindy Foxcroft 04.08.12 @ 7:17 pm      

    Thank you for your story. It has helped me a lot. Please may I have a copy of your agreement.

    Many thanks
    Cindy

  18. debzeb   wordmonger 04.10.12 @ 4:08 am      

    Of course – hope it helps.

  19. connelly.bill   Bill 04.12.12 @ 3:49 pm      

    I feel terrible asking, but I would love a copy too please. We’ve been separated for 18 months now, so I’m starting to feel like it’s time to get prepared for this side of things. Thanks.

  20. paulv2006   Paul 04.16.12 @ 12:20 am      

    Hi, $1100 later I am no where near getting an agreement from my lawyer or my wife. Stressfull & exasperating. Could I have a copy please?
    many thanks
    Paul

  21. debzeb   wordmonger 04.16.12 @ 4:57 pm      

    I think it really pays to agree as much of the detail before the lawyers get invovled. That might be where these documents are most useful because you get thinking about what you have to agree on. You can get yur own list of chattels together, list your options as a starting point and maybe even use some of the free counseling a lot of work places have available to get some of the negotiation done …. before you hit the lawyers. I’m sending you the agreements and hope they help.

  22. rosehunter   Rose 04.23.12 @ 12:57 am      

    Would love a copy please, thanks so much for offering!

  23. rhonda.kendall   Rhonda 04.23.12 @ 9:55 pm      

    Hi – Would love one of these to get the process started. Thank you so much.

  24. soyflatwhite   Dawn 04.25.12 @ 3:15 pm      

    Hiya . . . can you please send me a copy would really appreciate it!

  25. e_laurenson   Em 05.10.12 @ 6:22 pm      

    Hey,

    Can I please have a copy – I am drowing to find something helpful on line, and could really do without the extra pain. Thanks in advanced

  26. mike.cronshaw   Mike Cronshaw 05.10.12 @ 9:29 pm      

    I would greatly appreciate a copy also. Hope you still have the patience to send one. Mike

  27. weebudda   Sonya 05.16.12 @ 11:04 pm      

    Gidday, I’d really appreciate a copy if you’re still happy to send it.
    Many thanks in advance,
    Sonya

  28. debzeb   wordmonger 05.17.12 @ 1:30 am      

    On it’s way – best of luck for a smooth settlement.

  29. weebudda   Sonya 05.18.12 @ 1:26 am      

    Thanks for the agreements. They’re exactly what I was looking for and now I’ve got a clear idea of what I’m doing.
    Cheers!

  30. ivanpeter8   peter 05.24.12 @ 7:21 pm      

    I’d appreciate a copy also if possible.
    many thanks. :)

  31. av.publico   Andrea 06.02.12 @ 7:11 pm      

    Would love a copy please, thanks so much for offering!

  32. canarynz   Paul 06.12.12 @ 11:01 pm      

    Hey, just found this site and would also appreciate a copy so that i have something to work on…thanks so much!

  33. mark   Mark 06.13.12 @ 3:33 pm      

    Hi. Love you blog. Some great reading and tips in bringing up kids under a separation. Please can I get a copy of your agreement? Thanks!

  34. dongxiaoliu   Sicilia 07.01.12 @ 10:43 pm      

    I’d appreciate a copy please if possible, it’d give me some good insights,
    thank so much for sharing

  35. mike.lynch   Mike 07.02.12 @ 12:41 am      

    Can I have a copy please, first timer. Regards

  36. leihiawilson   Leah 07.02.12 @ 9:54 pm      

    I would really appreciate a copy (if you’re still happy to share. It’s a scarey time, having some guidance would be wonderful. Thanks!

  37. salilajayaneththi   Salila 07.12.12 @ 3:17 am      

    Will you please send me a copy of the separation agreement you have drafted? I am about to separate and want to sort it out amicably. Don’t have money to pay for lawyers, rather would pay for son’s education.

  38. jewel.savage   Jey 07.16.12 @ 9:44 pm      

    Hiya…what an inspiration….can I possibly trouble you for a copy please….thanking you

  39. debzeb   wordmonger 07.16.12 @ 10:09 pm      

    No problem :-)

  40. salilajayaneththi   Salila 07.16.12 @ 10:16 pm      

    Thank you so much Deb for your generous help.

  41. craigca   Craig 07.17.12 @ 1:00 pm      

    Thank you so much for such an open & generous offer of assistance. My lawyer seems to be doing a great job of leading me around the merri-go-round with no real progress other than more billing hours. I would really appreciate a copy emailed to me. Thanks

  42. debzeb   wordmonger 07.17.12 @ 8:23 pm      

    On their way – hope they speed the process and reduce the cost.

  43. cyberhuskey   Raimund 07.22.12 @ 6:56 pm      

    Could I please have a copy of the arrangement. Many, many thanks.

  44. steve_woodward   steve 07.22.12 @ 6:59 pm      

    Mate, would love a copy if still available. Interesting times for all. Ta.

  45. debzeb   wordmonger 07.23.12 @ 12:30 am      

    No worries mate :-)

  46. rglpsmith   Rachel 08.02.12 @ 9:52 pm      

    I’d lvoe a copy if possible please – distressing times. Thanks

  47. andrewoneclick   Andrew 08.09.12 @ 2:53 am      

    Could I please have a copy of the arrangement if it is still available? Thanks.

  48. thebeastofpiratesbay   overwhelmed 08.09.12 @ 3:24 pm      

    Could i please also have a copy?

  49. rebecca   Rebecca 08.09.12 @ 9:13 pm      

    Thank you I would love a copy,please x

  50. andrew.cowie   Andy 09.10.12 @ 5:44 pm      

    Hi – thanks for sharing – I would really appreciate a copy of the agreement so we can get it all sorted and move on. thanks



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