<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.13

                         EMPLOYMENT SEPARATION AGREEMENT
                          AND RELEASE OF ALL LIABILITY


         This Employment Separation Agreement and Release of All Liability
("Agreement") is made on May 11, 2001 between Robert K. Burgess ("Executive")
and Pulte Corporation, a Michigan corporation ("Pulte"). As used in this
Agreement, "Employer" means Pulte, its successors, assigns, parents,
subsidiaries, divisions and/or affiliates (whether incorporated or
unincorporated), and all of the past and present directors, officers, trustees,
employees and agents (in their individual and representative capacities) of each
and any and all persons acting by, through, or in concert with any of them.

                                    RECITALS

         A.       Executive has worked in the employ of Employer since 1982;
currently, he is Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and a Director
of Pulte.

         B.       Executive will retire from his employment on December 30, 2001
(the "Termination Date").

         C.       In consideration of payments to be made, and benefits to be
provided, by Employer to Executive, Executive and Employer have each agreed to
release the other from any liability to the other and to the other matters set
forth in this Agreement.

         Therefore, Executive and Employer agree as follows:

         1.       Executive resigns from all of his positions with Employer
(including from the Board of Directors of Employer), effective on the
Termination Date.

         2.       The following will be Executive's sole and exclusive payments
and benefits with respect to Executive's continued employment through the
Termination Date, the termination of Executive's employment with Employer and
Executive's other obligations under this Agreement:

                  (a) As long as he remains employed by Employer, Executive will
receive a continuation of his current monthly salary of $66,667.00 and a
continuation of his current fringe benefits until the Termination Date.
Executive will also be entitled to receive a discretionary performance bonus
with respect to the year ending December 31, 2001. Whether a performance bonus
will be paid, and the specific amount of any performance bonus which may be
paid, will be determined by the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors of
Employer, in their sole discretion; however, such determination will be made in
a manner which is consistent with the manner in which Executive's most recent
prior bonuses have been determined and Executive's retirement as of December 30,
2001 will not be taken into account in making such determination. Any
performance bonus which may be paid under this paragraph 2(a) will be payable at
the time that 2001 performance bonuses are paid to Pulte executives (which is
expected to be no later than February, 2002). The salary and bonus referred to
in this paragraph 2(a) will be paid in accordance


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with Employer's normal payroll procedures and policies. The usual withholdings
and deductions for applicable taxes and the like will be deducted from all
payments to Executive under this paragraph 2(a).

                  (b)      Executive will receive the following payments:

                           (1)   $66,667 on the first business day of each month
                  beginning on January 1, 2002 and ending on December 1, 2002.

                           (2)   $500,000 on January 1, 2002.

                  (c)      Executive will be entitled to 2/3 of the award which
would have been payable to him under the Long-Term Compensation Plan for Key
Executives which commenced on January 1, 2000; such amounts will be payable only
if and when awards are payable to Pulte executives under such plan. Executive
will also be entitled to a lump sum payment of $533,333, which represents 1/3 of
the mid-point of his targeted award under the Long-Term Compensation Plan for
Key Executives which commenced on January 1, 2001; such payment will be made on
or before February 1, 2002 irrespective of whether awards are payable to Pulte
executives under such plan and the amount of such payment will not change even
if a greater or lesser amount is ultimately earned for Executive's account under
the plan. Payments under this paragraph 2(c) will be in lieu of any other awards
or payments which may be owed under the long-term compensation plans referred to
in this paragraph.

                  (d)      Employer will provide Executive and his spouse and
dependent children with continued medical and dental insurance coverage, with
benefits substantially equivalent to Executive's current coverage, until
Executive reaches age 65. If Executive dies before reaching age 65 and is
survived by his wife and/or dependent children, such benefits will be provided
to Executive's widow and/or dependent children until the date that would have
been Executive's 65th birthday. Executive (or his widow) will reimburse Pulte,
on request, for the same portion of the premium for such coverage as Pulte
executives reimburse Pulte for their own health and dental coverage.

                  (e)     From January 1, 2002 until June 30, 2002, Executive
will be entitled to reasonable secretarial support, at no charge, from a Pulte
secretary.

         The amounts payable, and the benefits provided, under this paragraph 2
will continue to be payable and provided notwithstanding Executive's death or
disability.

         Executive will indemnify Employer for any taxes, interest and penalties
payable or claimed by appropriate authorities to be payable in respect of the
payments and benefits described in this paragraph 2 that result from Executive's
failure to pay or timely pay such taxes, interest and/or penalties.

         Executive's rights and obligations under the Pulte Corporation Income
Deferral Plan (the "Deferral Plan") will continue in full force with respect to
all amounts previously contributed by Executive to the Deferral Plan and all
earnings thereon, notwithstanding the termination of his


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<PAGE>   3

employment. As of January 31, 2001, Executive's cumulative benefit under the
Deferral Plan was $5,340,566.73. Executive will not make any new contributions
to the Deferral Plan.

         3.       For the consideration described in this Agreement, Employer
and Executive hereby fully and forever mutually release, acquit and discharge
each other from and for all manner of claims, counterclaims, causes of action,
bonds, bills, debts, sums of money, commissions, compensation for purported
personal services rendered, damages and rights whatsoever, in law or in equity,
now existing in its or his favor by reason of any facts, known or unknown
(including under Pulte's Long-Term Compensation Plans for Key Executives (except
for the payments described in paragraph 2(c) above). This release does not cover
(a) any breach of this Agreement (including Pulte's obligations under paragraph
2 above) or (b) any rights of Executive in or with respect to his benefits under
the Deferral Plan.

         4.       Except for actions or suits based upon breaches of this
Agreement or the Deferral Plan, each of Executive and Employer will refrain from
commencing any suit, claim or action, or prosecuting any pending action, claim
or suit, in law or in equity, against the other on account of any employment
related action or cause of action based upon any facts, whether known or
unknown, including all claims for wrongful discharge, breach of contract,
violation of the penal statutes, negligence of any kind, intentional infliction
of emotional distress, defamation and/or discrimination on account of sex, age,
race, handicap or nationality which has or could have been alleged under the
common law or any federal, state or local statute or ordinance, including: Title
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act;
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the
Americans With Disabilities Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the
Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act; the Michigan Handicappers Civil Rights Act; the
Michigan Whistle Blowers Protection Act; the Michigan Wage and Benefit Act; and
any and all amendments to any of the foregoing.

         5.       (a)   For a period beginning on the date of this Agreement and
ending on December 31, 2002, Executive will maintain as confidential, all
confidential information of Employer. For purposes of this Agreement,
confidential information means all confidential and proprietary information of
Employer, including confidential and proprietary data, know-how, schedules,
processes, designs, sketches, photographs, plans, drawings, specifications,
samples, reports, vendor information, pricing information, market definitions,
inventions, ideas and information obtained from Employer as well as strategic
information concerning Employer. Confidential information may be written or
oral. Confidential information will not include information which:

                        (1) is or becomes severally available to the public
                  other than as a result of Executive's disclosure; or

                        (2) becomes available to Executive on a non-confidential
                  basis from a source other than Employer provided that such
                  source is not bound by a confidentiality agreement with or
                  other obligation of secrecy to Employer which is known to
                  Executive.


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<PAGE>   4

         Executive will be allowed to disclose confidential information if
required by law to do so. However, if practicable, Executive will advise
Employer of such legal requirements prior to making such disclosure, so that
Employer may attempt (at no cost or penalty to Executive) to seek an appropriate
protective order or legal limitation on such disclosure.

                  (b)      From the date of this Agreement until December 31,
2003, Executive will not, directly or indirectly:

                           (1) Engage in, or have an interest in or be
                  associated with (whether as an officer, director, stockholder,
                  partner, member, associate, employee, consultant, owner or
                  otherwise), a "Competing Business", which is any corporation,
                  partnership, limited liability company, firm or enterprise
                  (including a sole proprietorship) which is directly engaged in
                  home building. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may
                  invest in any publicly-held corporation engaged in a Competing
                  Business if (i) such investment does not exceed 5% in value of
                  the issued and outstanding capital stock of such corporation
                  and (ii) Executive is not otherwise affiliated with such
                  corporation.

                           (2) Hire any person known by Executive to be an
                  employee of Employer or induce or attempt to induce any person
                  known by Executive to be an employee of Employer or any of its
                  affiliates to leave the employment of the Employer or such
                  affiliate.

                           (3) Attempt to adversely affect the relationship
                  between Pulte and any of its vendors, contractors,
                  subcontractors, shareholders, or customers.

The provisions of this paragraph 5(b) will automatically terminate if (i)
Employer breaches this Agreement by failing to pay Executive any payment or to
provide any benefit to Executive when and as due under this Agreement and (ii)
Employer fails to cure such breach within 10 days after written notice from
Executive to Employer of such breach by Employer.

                  (c)      If Executive violates this paragraph 5 in any
material respect (and Pulte has not previously consented in writing to the
action which constitutes the violation), Employer will be entitled, in addition
to Employer's other rights and remedies (including a refund of amounts
previously paid or benefits provided by Employer pursuant to this Agreement), to
terminate any or all of the payments and benefits described in paragraph 2
above. Such termination (or exercise of other rights and remedies) will not be
considered a breach of this Agreement by Employer.

         6.       Except as may be required by law, (a) Executive will not
directly or indirectly assist or aid any other person, corporation, firm,
partnership or other entity, in or about any action, cause of action, suit,
claim, proceeding, litigation or other matter against Employer (collectively,
"Covered Matters") and (b) Executive will not communicate with, either orally or
in writing, in any manner whatsoever, any other person, corporation, firm,
partnership or other entity, in or about any Covered Matter other than
communications with members of Executive's family and Executive's friends as
long as such communications are conducted in a fashion which will not and could
not reasonably be expected to adversely affect Employer.


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         7.       On the Termination Date:

                  (a) Executive will return to Employer all materials, files and
any other property which belong to Employer (including his security cards, keys,
and telephone credit card); and

                  (b) Executive and Employer will execute and deliver the
agreement attached as Exhibit 1 to this Agreement (the "Bring-down Release") in
order to re-affirm the release and covenant not to sue which are reflected in
paragraphs 3 and 4 above, effective as of the Termination Date. The parties'
failure or a party's refusal to execute and deliver the Bring-down Release will
not invalidate or diminish the effectiveness of the release and covenant not to
sue set forth in paragraphs 3 and 4 above.

         8.       Executive is completely able to perform the duties of his
position at Employer, and has no disability recognized under the Workers'
Compensation Act or otherwise. Executive will not claim or collect state
unemployment benefits in connection with the termination of his employment with
Employer. If Executive violates this covenant or if Executive claims or collects
any worker's compensation benefits with respect to his employment by Employer,
he will immediately forfeit or refund that portion of the consideration paid or
payable by Employer to Executive under this Agreement which is equal to the
unemployment or worker's compensation benefits, as applicable, received by
Executive.

         9.       Pulte will indemnify and hold Executive harmless from any
claims, demands and complaints made by any third party, which arise out of or
relate to Executive's good faith performance of his job duties during the term
of his employment by Employer and of his consulting duties under this Agreement,
in accordance with Employer's bylaws and applicable law. Executive will advise
Employer of any such claim immediately upon becoming aware of it. Employer's
agreement in this respect is based and reliant upon Executive's specific
representation that he is not presently aware, nor does he have any reason to
suspect, that any such claim, demand or complaint will be forthcoming, other
than with respect to any matter which has been disclosed in Item 3 of Pulte's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1998, 1999 or
2000 or in any of Pulte's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q with respect to any
fiscal quarter during such period.

         10.      Executive will retain the stock options identified on Exhibit
2 to this Agreement in accordance with the stock option agreements which
evidence such option grants (the "Option Agreements"). Such options will not be
subject to any restriction or forfeiture under this agreement (including
paragraphs 5 and 6 above) but will continue to be subject to the Option
Agreements.

         11.      (a) Nothing in this Agreement changes (1) Executive's status
as an "at will" employee of Employer or (2) Employer's employment policies. If
Executive's employment is terminated before the Termination Date by Employer
without Cause (as defined below) or by Executive for Good Reason (as defined
below), the provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect
and Executive will receive all of the payments called for under paragraph 2
above and the options described in paragraph 10 above, subject to the
application of all of the other


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provisions of this Agreement. Upon any other termination of Executive's
employment before the Termination Date (voluntary or involuntary, including by
death), the parties' rights and obligations under this Agreement will
immediately and automatically terminate, except that:

                           (1)      upon Employee's death or the termination of
                                    his employment because of disability, (A) he
                                    will receive a continuation of his salary
                                    and fringe benefits and be eligible for a
                                    discretionary bonus for the year ending
                                    December 31, 2001 in accordance with
                                    paragraph 2(a) above and (B) he (or in the
                                    event of his death, his widow and dependent
                                    children) will receive continued medical and
                                    dental insurance coverage pursuant to
                                    paragraph 2(d) above until December 31,
                                    2002; and

                           (2)      Employee will continue to be entitled to any
                  death or disability benefits which may be owed to him under
                  Company policy or a written agreement between Employee and
                  Employer (including Option Agreements and Employer's Long-Term
                  Compensation Plans).

                  (b)      As used in this Agreement:

                           (1)      Termination for "Cause" means termination of
                  Executive's employment by Employer for (A) fraud, theft,
                  embezzlement or any other similar activity on Executive's
                  part, (B) any other willful act or omission which Executive
                  knew or had reason to know would materially injure Employer or
                  (C) conviction of any crime involving moral turpitude or
                  dishonesty on Executive's part.

                           (2)      Termination for "Good Reason" means
                  Executive's termination of his employment with Employer
                  because of any of the following actions, if not consented to
                  in advance by Executive: (A) the requirement that Executive
                  relocate his permanent residence outside of the metropolitan
                  Detroit area (other than normal required business travel,
                  consistent with Executive's past travel practices), (B) a
                  reduction in Executive's base compensation or benefits from
                  current levels, (C) a reduction in Executive's duties and
                  responsibilities from those currently held by him (other than
                  normal transition of duties to Executive's designated
                  successor over the course of the current year), and (D) a
                  change in Executive's title.

         12.      (a) This Agreement, which will be effective and irrevocable
immediately upon the time limits described in this Agreement, reflects the
entire agreement of Executive and Employer relative to its subject matter, and
supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written understandings,
statements, representations or promises with respect to Executive's retirement.

                  (b) This Agreement may not be amended except by a written
instrument signed by Executive and Pulte, on behalf of Employer.


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<PAGE>   7

                  (c) This Agreement will be construed in accordance with and
governed by Michigan law. The sole forum for any dispute under this Agreement
will be the Oakland County (Michigan) Circuit Court; the parties consent to the
exclusive jurisdiction of such court.

         13.      Executive will use his best reasonable efforts to maintain,
and will instruct his attorneys and accountants or maintain, the confidentiality
of the existence and terms of this Agreement, and any underlying conversations,
discussions, documents, correspondence or agreements in furtherance thereof or
in connection or leading thereto. However, Executive will be entitled to
disclose (a) information to the extent required by law, (b) information which
becomes a matter of public record (other than as a result of Executive's
disclosure thereof), (c) information to his immediate family but only after
instructing them to keep such information confidential and (d) the existence of
his non-disclosure obligation or other obligations under this Agreement to any
person who requests that Executive disclose information in violation of this
paragraph 13 or otherwise requests that Executive take action in violation of
this Agreement.

         14.      EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THAT BY THIS AGREEMENT HE IS WAIVING ANY
RIGHTS HE MAY PRESENTLY HAVE UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT, AS
AMENDED. EXECUTIVE ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY WITHOUT ANY
DURESS OR COERCION, AND AFTER HE HAS CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY READ ALL OF THE
TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT. HE HAS BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH
LEGAL COUNSEL AND UNDERSTANDS HE WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONSIDER THIS AGREEMENT FOR
21 DAYS PRIOR TO SIGNING IT. EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT
BECOME EFFECTIVE FOR SEVEN DAYS FOLLOWING THE DATE IT IS SIGNED, DURING WHICH
TIME HE MAY REVOKE THIS AGREEMENT BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO EMPLOYER, IN CARE OF JOHN
R. STOLLER, VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL. EXECUTIVE UNDERSTANDS THAT
PAYMENTS TO BE MADE TO HIM AS PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT COMMENCE UNTIL
THE EXPIRATION OF SUCH SEVEN DAYS.



Date:  May 11, 2001        /s/ Robert K. Burgess
                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                   Robert K. Burgess


                           Pulte Corporation (on behalf of itself and all
                           entities which constitute "Employer" under this
                           Agreement)


Date:  May 11, 2001        By: /s/ Michael A. O'Brien
                               -------------------------------------------------
                                       Name:  Michael O'Brien
                                       Title: Senior Vice President of Corporate
                                              Development


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<PAGE>   8
EXHIBIT 1


                               CONSULTING SERVICES


         Unless otherwise defined in this Schedule, all capitalized terms used
in this Schedule will have the meanings given to them in the employment
separation agreement and release of all liability entered into today between
Robert K. Burgess and Pulte Corporation.

         1. During the Consulting Term, Executive will, upon reasonable notice
from Employer, provide the Services to Employer in connection with the Company's
business, including domestic and international homebuilding, merger and
acquisition opportunities, and other aspects of Employer's business. Executive
will not be required to perform more than 20 hours of Services in any calendar
month; unused portions of such 20 hour maximum will not be used in subsequent
months. Executive will not be required to travel outside of the Metropolitan
Detroit area, except to assist Pulte in testimony or preparation for any
litigation or proceedings relating to matters or events which arose or took
place during his employment with Pulte and then only with reasonable advance
notice from Pulte.

         2. The Services will be rendered on a party-time basis only, at such
times as Executive and Employer mutually agree in good faith. Every reasonable
attempt will be made by Employer to accommodate Executive's full time occupation
when scheduling the time and place for the delivery of the Services. Executive
will be free to engage in any other activities, subject to paragraph 5 of the
Agreement.

         3. Executive will at all times during the Consulting Term be an
independent contractor of Employer, and will not be considered as having
"Executive status" with Employer for any purpose.

         4. Executive will not have any authority to enter into any contract or
agreement on behalf of Employer or to bind or commit Employer orally or in
writing, except to the extent he has been so authorized by the chief executive
officer or chief operating officer of Pulte.

         5. Executive will be reimbursed for all reasonable, necessary and
pre-approved business related travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred
by him in performing Services upon presentation of receipts or expense vouchers
for such expenses in accordance with Employer's usual accounting procedures.


                                                                Initials:

                                                                /s/ RKB
                                                                -------


                                                                /s/ MOB
                                                                -------


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<PAGE>   9

EXHIBIT 2

OPTION STATEMENT AS OF 5/11/2001


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               EXPIRATION                  OPTION                            OPTIONS
         GRANT DATE               DATE                      PRICE                          OUTSTANDING
         ----------               ----                      -----                          -----------
<S>                           <C>                        <C>                               <C>
           01/17/95             01/17/05                    $13.35                            12,078
           12/13/95             12/13/05                    $17.00                           180,000
           12/13/95             12/13/05                    $17.00                           240,000
           12/13/95             12/13/05                    $17.00                           180,000
           12/13/95             12/13/05                    $21.00                            60,000
           12/13/95             12/13/05                    $21.00                            80,000
           12/13/95             12/13/05                    $21.00                            60,000
           01/04/99             01/04/99                    $28.72                           100,000
           11/22/99             11/22/99                    $21.25                           150,000
           02/28/00             02/28/10                    $16.22                            78,186
           06/01/00             01/17/05                    $21.81                            29,018
           06/05/00             01/17/05                    $22.24                             4,810
           12/14/00             12/14/10                    $41.84                           150,000
           02/28/01             02/28/11                    $34.28                            60,000
                                                                                           ---------

         OPTIONEE TOTALS                                                                   1,384,092
                                                                                           =========
</TABLE>



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