17. Separation and Maintenance Agreements

Abstract

This chapter discusses the use of separation and maintenance agreements, the essential features of both types of agreements, and the advantages and disadvantages of separation and maintenance agreements. A separation or maintenance agreement can help parties avoid expensive, drawn-out litigation. Separation agreements essentially record that the parties wish to live apart and can include terms about children, property, and maintenance. Maintenance agreements deal with the payment of maintenance to or for the benefit of spouses, civil partners, or children, but do not deal with the separation of the parties.