Separating or divorcing: what you need to do
There are certain things you need to do when you separate from your partner in England or Wales.
What you do is different in and .
If you have children
You and your ex-partner must share financial support for your children (鈥榗hild maintenance鈥�).
You also need to make arrangements for looking after your children.
Agreeing these things is separate from doing legal paperwork to officially end your relationship.
If you鈥檙e married or in a civil partnership
You need to divide your money and property. If you want this to be legally binding, you must apply to a court before finalising legal paperwork to divorce or end your civil partnership.
Dividing money and property is different .
Ending your marriage
Get a divorce to officially end your marriage.
If you do not want a divorce, you can:
- get a legal separation so you can live apart without ending the marriage
- annul the marriage if it counts as 鈥榙efective鈥� or is not legally valid
Ending your civil partnership
You can officially end your civil partnership.
Get a legal separation instead if you want to live apart without ending the civil partnership.
Get help or advice
You can get advice about legal paperwork and making arrangements from:
Find a legal adviser if you need legal advice.
Get .