Shared Parenting Information Group (SPIG) UK

- promoting responsible shared parenting after separation and divorce -

Separation Agreements

Couples who are separating or divorcing can avoid a great deal of animosity by reaching agreement about their responsibilities to each other and to their children with the aid of a mediation service rather than going to court.

The outcome of such discussions is often a voluntary agreement which can be subsequently be formalised into a Deed of Separation, thus allowing the couple to lead independent lives. This is particularly useful if there is no immediate wish to divorce.

Separation Agreements, like Parenting Plans are growing in popularity, and Colorado State Law refers to them as follows:
To promote the amicable settlement of disputes between the parties to a marriage attendant upon their separation or the dissolution of their marriage, the parties may enter into a written separation agreement containing provisions for the maintenance of either of them, the disposition of any property owned by either of them, and the custody, support, and parenting time of their children. [Colorado: 14-10-112 (1)]

Main features

The main features of an agreement are:
Note: * contact = visitation / access

Sample Separation Agreement


David Cannon
Last updated - 6 December 1998

Grateful thanks to Henry Hodgins of the Association for Shared Parenting (UK) for details of the agreement he and his wife reached which allowed them to be actively involved in the upbringing of their daughter while living separately.

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