4 Common Reasons People Get Separation Agreements in New Zealand

The Real Reasons People Formalize Their Breakups

Separation agreements aren't just for bitter divorces and custody battles. Most people get them for surprisingly practical reasons that have nothing to do with drama and everything to do with protecting their future.

Here are the four most common reasons people invest in separation agreements - and why you might need one too.

Reason 1: "We Want to Stay Friends"

Sounds counterintuitive, right? But the couples who get along best during separation are often the ones most likely to get formal agreements.

Why? Because they're smart enough to know that good relationships can turn bad when money and property are involved. A separation agreement protects the friendship by removing uncertainty about who gets what.

The SureThing Approach: For amicable separations with straightforward assets, SureThing can help you create clear agreements about property division, debt responsibility, and basic arrangements without the adversarial legal process.

Reason 2: "We Have Kids and Need Stability"

Children need predictability. They need to know where they'll live, when they'll see each parent, and that their parents aren't going to keep fighting about money.

A separation agreement creates this stability by settling all the major issues upfront. No more arguments about who pays for school fees or whether Dad can take the kids on vacation.

What to Include:

• Custody and visitation schedules
• Financial responsibility for children
• Decision-making authority for major issues
• Holiday and vacation arrangements

Reason 3: "We Can't Afford to Fight"

Legal battles are expensive. Really expensive. A contested property dispute can easily cost $30,000-$50,000 per person in legal fees.

Smart couples realize that spending $3,000-$5,000 on a separation agreement is way cheaper than spending $50,000+ fighting in court. Plus, you get to control the outcome instead of letting a judge decide your future.

Reason 4: "We Want Certainty About Our Financial Future"

Uncertainty is stressful. Not knowing whether you'll get to keep the house, how much you'll owe in spousal support, or when you'll be financially independent makes it impossible to plan for the future.

A separation agreement answers all these questions upfront. You know exactly what you're getting, what you're giving up, and what your financial obligations are going forward.

The Smart Separation Strategy

Start Simple

Use SureThing to document what you both agree on. This might include:
• Basic property division
• Debt responsibility
• Temporary living arrangements
• Initial custody schedules

Get Professional Help for Complex Issues:

• High-value property division
• Business asset splits
• Spousal maintenance calculations
• Complex custody arrangements

When You Don't Need a Separation Agreement

Honestly? Almost never. Even if you think you agree on everything, even if you have minimal assets, even if you're sure you'll stay friends - things change.

People's circumstances change. Memories fade. New partners have opinions about old agreements. What seems fair today might feel unfair in two years.

The Bottom Line

Separation agreements aren't about not trusting your ex - they're about not trusting the future. You can't predict how you'll both feel in five years, but you can control how your separation is handled today.

Ready to create certainty in your separation? Start with SureThing for basic agreements, then consult legal professionals for complex asset division and certification.

Because the best time to make decisions about your separation is when you can still make them together.