New York Separation / Divorce-Adjacent Agreements Hub Template FAQ

Is this hub a legal separation or divorce filing?

No. This hub is a planning and drafting organizer, not a court filing. It helps you identify which agreements or letters you may want to prepare and what information you should gather before drafting. Courts and agencies may require specific local forms or disclosures for certain topics, but this hub is meant to help you organize the terms you want and the facts that support them. Think of it as a roadmap that can support negotiation, mediation, or attorney review. Keeping the plan in one place can reduce confusion and help you move from broad goals to concrete, written terms.

How do I use the stage selector if we have not filed a case?

If no case has been filed, you can still use the “planning separation” or “separated” stage to choose documents that stabilize day-to-day life. Those early documents often address bills, living arrangements, move-out timing, and parenting routines, while leaving final division decisions for later. The stage selector is a way to match the level of detail to where you are in the process. You can also keep a notes section for topics that are not ready for final numbers, such as support, and use the hub to track what information is still missing before drafting more complete terms.

What is the difference between a separation agreement and a marital settlement agreement?

A separation agreement often focuses on rules and responsibilities while living apart, such as household bills, temporary support, and parenting schedules during the transition. A marital settlement agreement usually reflects more complete “final terms” dividing assets and debts and setting ongoing support and parenting terms, often as part of a divorce resolution. The hub separates these options so you can choose a temporary framework first and then move toward a more comprehensive final package when financial information and inventories are complete. Using the hub can help you avoid skipping steps by forcing final terms before you have enough detail to make them stable.

When is a temporary parenting plan useful during separation?

A temporary parenting plan can be useful when children need predictable routines before any final order or final agreement is completed. It can document schedules, exchange logistics, decision-making, and expense sharing in a way that is easy to update as circumstances change. The hub helps by separating “separation period” parenting planning from final settlement documents so you can address immediate needs first. Even if you expect to finalize a full settlement later, capturing a short-term plan can reduce conflict by setting expectations about school nights, holidays, communication, and travel rules. Clear routines also reduce last-minute disputes about pickups and costs.

How can the hub help when mediation is planned?

Mediation is easier when you arrive with organized information and a clear list of decisions that must be made. The hub helps you identify the documents that mediation may produce, such as a mediation settlement agreement, and the supporting information needed for those terms. You can use the hub’s checklist to gather account lists, debt balances, parenting schedules, and budget snapshots before sessions. You can also use the hub to record tentative agreements and deadlines for exchanging documents. Having one organized reference reduces time spent rehashing basics and helps mediation focus on resolving the remaining issues.

What if we cannot agree on support numbers yet?

If you are not ready to agree on final support amounts, you can still use the hub to capture interim arrangements and decision triggers. For example, you can document who pays which bills for a set period, set a date to revisit support, and list the financial documents needed to make a more informed decision. The goal is to reduce uncertainty while you gather information. The hub’s structure supports that by allowing you to select temporary agreements and to track missing inputs such as income records, childcare costs, and medical expenses. Updating the hub as data becomes available makes it easier to progress from interim terms to more complete agreements.

How should the hub be updated after circumstances change?

Treat the hub as a living index rather than a one-time worksheet. When a major change occurs — such as a move-out date shift, job change, or schedule change — update the hub’s key dates and selections first. Then identify which downstream documents would need matching updates, such as a parenting plan or expense split agreement. Keeping a date-stamped “created/updated” field and a short change log helps maintain clarity about which version is current. This approach can prevent situations where one draft reflects old dates while another draft reflects new dates. Consistent updates also make attorney or mediator review more efficient, because reviewers can tell which version controls.