HELP! Separation Agreement (Ontario) needed!

[slotscanada]

Unfortunately my wife and I have decided to separate. However we are able to still speak and figure out issues like property, etc. How do I go about getting a SEPARATION AGREEMENT drawn up, that is legally binding? I don't really want some greesy lawyer getting involved, we have figured everything out ourselves, just need it drawn up so we can sign it?

I thought I heard somewhere you could do it yourself, and get the forms online? I can only find places wanting to charge $200+.

Any assistance (and/or experience) would be appreciated.

[15-20_God]

when hundreds of thousands of dollars are at stake you want to cheap out on the contract that legally divides the assets? think this over before you get taken again.

[slotscanada]

Well there is a NOT a ton at stake, certainly not "hundreds of thousands" anyways. Maybe "thousands". Ideally what I am getting at is:

We know what we want, we just want someone to draw it up. It is uncontested. Ideally I don't want to spend "hundreds or thousands" on a lawyer when they will do the same thing but just charge more. I could see if we were fighting over things, I would go that avenue....

[15-20_God]

Well there is a NOT a ton at stake, certainly not "hundreds of thousands" anyways. Maybe "thousands". Ideally what I am getting at is:

We know what we want, we just want someone to draw it up. It is uncontested. Ideally I don't want to spend "hundreds or thousands" on a lawyer when they will do the same thing but just charge more. I could see if we were fighting over things, I would go that avenue....

you don't think ppl change their minds? its really up to you if you think the ex-wife won't change her mind 5 years later and realizes she can hire a lawyer to go after you for more money, be it she's in debt, does it to spite you, or has a new hubby and she needs to fund his gambling addiction.

What is now is not the future. As you know, feelings change, so do minds, and previously agreed to contracts. it just deends how much you value your sanity.

[poedua]

Well there is a NOT a ton at stake, certainly not "hundreds of thousands" anyways. Maybe "thousands". Ideally what I am getting at is:

We know what we want, we just want someone to draw it up. It is uncontested. Ideally I don't want to spend "hundreds or thousands" on a lawyer when they will do the same thing but just charge more. I could see if we were fighting over things, I would go that avenue....

You have kids ?

By the way, my divorce cost me $150,000 in fees and my lawyer was $350 an hour.

For what's it worth.....I would really suggest you get a lawyer to do up an agreement. Without gettiing in to the details as to why, not all agreements are legally binding as you think AND of the ones that may be, there are very bad, bad, poor and average agreements out there....it's what you neglect to put in the agreements that end up haunting you.

$200...even $1000 is worth it for a solid fair agreement IMO.

[15-20_God]

or expecting a sizable inheritance?

[wiggy]

Unfortunately my wife and I have decided to separate. However we are able to still speak and figure out issues like property, etc. How do I go about getting a SEPARATION AGREEMENT drawn up, that is legally binding? I don't really want some greesy lawyer getting involved, we have figured everything out ourselves, just need it drawn up so we can sign it?

I thought I heard somewhere you could do it yourself, and get the forms online? I can only find places wanting to charge $200+.

Lemme guess. She's dumping you 'cause you're such a cheapskate ...

[slotscanada]

Good points guys, some things I didn't consider! So your suggestion is we meet with a lawyer and draw up the agreement that is binding? I guess my question really was - is it possible a para-legal would be good enough and legally binding?

Just a bit on our situation - no kids, we both made about the same amount of money, we both have pensions but nothing huge, so it seems pretty cut and dry for the most part.

[slotscanada]

Lemme guess. She's dumping you 'cause you're such a cheapskate ...

Yeah I wish it was that simple! She makes like $80k a year on her own - more than me! - hence she has never gone without anything. In fact she has several high priced addictions.