In this section, you will find some basic information about California law related to what happens with property and debts when spouses or domestic partners choose to end their relationship. If you signed a property agreement before or during the marriage (like a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement), talk to a lawyer to see how this affects your case before you file your papers with the court. When you get divorced or legally separated, the court makes decisions about how to divide the property that the spouses or domestic partners bought during the marriage.

Even if you do not want to deal with these issues or if you divided your property informally when you separated, the court still needs to make a formal order about these issues.

It is advisable for a couple contemplating legal separation in North Carolina to consult with their attorneys prior to their actual separation for the purpose of drafting a Separation Agreement and Property Settlement.

This is a written contract between the spouses and can cover all or some of the issues involved in their separation and eventual divorce.

But when you get divorced, the judge has to sign off on that agreement.

Having a separation agreement alone does not create a legal separation.

In North Carolina, you cannot live in the same residence and be legally separated.

It is commonplace to make a Deed of Separation to record any agreement regarding financial matters, children and plans to divorce or not.

Pepper Schwartz Question from Carl: I recently started dating after a divorce.

What advice would you give me as far as first date suggestions?