Divorce is the final step in ending your marriage. A Divorce Order, issued by a court, terminates your legal status as a “spouse”. However, a Divorce Order does not resolve all the other issues that arise out of a separation from your spouse or partner. Separation is when a married couple lives “separate and apart” for the mandatory period of one year prior to applying for a divorce. Notably, a couple can share a residence while separated. Separation also refers to the breakdown of a common law relationship because the concept of a divorce does not apply and many of the same issues need to be resolved. A separation agreement is a legal contract that is based on the agreements you and your spouse/partner reach on the many legal issues arising out of the separation. The lawyers at Bortolussi Family Law can help you at any stage of your separation or divorce and will work with you to achieve the best results possible to create a parenting plan and document the re-organization of your assets and finances in the separation agreement between you.