After Separation or Divorce

In the family law context, legal separation occurs when you and your partner no longer live together in a domestic relationship or marriage. Separation may occur while you are both still living under the same roof. Getting a divorce is the legal dissolving of a marriage. The court application can be done jointly or on your own. The court needs to be satisfied that there is no likelihood of reconciliation. This criterion requires a 12-month separation. Where children under the age of 18 are involved, the court must be satisfied that proper arrangements have been made.