Relationship Separation

How Legal Separation With Us Works

• Contact us for a free 30-minute initial information consultation to hear the options available or book a Preliminary Advice Meeting, tailored to your specific circumstances, followed up in writing for £180 + vat (this may be free of charge if there are issues with Children's Services or Domestic Abuse).
• Get started fixing your future immediately

Acclaimed Family Law are experienced and dedicated experts in legal and relationship separation in Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley and more. Get in touch today for your free consultation.

Legal Separation

A Judicial Relationship Separation is a legal separation via the courts. This requires a separation petition to be lodged with the court on exactly the same grounds as divorce, e.g. usually unreasonable behavior, adultery or 2 years separation by consent. However, unlike with divorce, there is no Decree Absolute so parties will remain married in the eyes of the law.

It’s unusual to obtain a judicial separation nowadays because there is less stigma attached to divorce. Most people believe that if the marriage has broken to the extent they require a separation they may as well instigate divorce proceedings.

Formal Separation

Some couples may not wish to lodge an unreasonable behavior or adultery petition and will simply wait 2 years until they can obtain a separation on the grounds of consent, which negates the need to raise issues about the other person.

However, it’s difficult to live apart for 2 years without financially regulating what happens during that time. In that situation it’s important to have a separation agreement that outlines what you intend to do financially in the short term and long term.

Legal Separation Help in Sheffield

It’s extremely important to seek specialist advice as if you don’t have a formal separation agreement the other party can make subsequent financial claims on divorce, even if you believe you had divided your assets reasonably at the time of separation. There are legal pros and cons when comparing separation agreements to divorce, so it’s extremely important to discuss these with a legal expert.

Preliminary Advice Meeting

We also offer an initial tailored advice meeting, followed up in writing, for £180 + VAT at 20%.

This meeting may be free if there are issues involving Domestic Abuse or Childrens Services.

If you would like free, no obligation information regarding the creation of a separation agreement, please complete the accompanying form or call us on 0114 5517555 to arrange a 30 minute consultation.