In the event of separation it is advisable to instruct a lawyer. Even in circumstances where the separation may be amicable, a lawyer can provide valuable advice on a range of matters from care arrangements for any children of the relationship and immediate relationship property tasks such as safeguarding joint bank accounts. In order to finalise a division of relationship property, the Property (Relationships) Act 1976 sets out a list a requirements with which an agreement must comply in order for it to be valid under law.
Two of these requirements are that the written agreement must be witnessed by a lawyer and furthermore each parties' lawyer must also certify that the effect and implications of the agreement have been explained to the parties to the agreement. To apply for a dissolution of marriage order, parties need to have been separated for at least two years.