Divorcepath allows you to create separation agreements from professionally drafted templates, with client data automatically merged into the document. This streamlines the drafting process and ensures consistency across your agreements.
Starting a New Agreement
To create a separation agreement:
- Open the client file for the relevant matter.
- Select Documents & Forms in the matter sidebar.
- On the Agreement card, click Draft agreement.
You can also click Agreement under Documents & Forms in the sidebar, or click Create at the top of the sidebar and choose Agreement. Each route opens the Create Agreement page for the current matter.
Selecting an Agreement Template
Divorcepath provides agreement templates designed for common family law scenarios. Check the Jurisdiction, then browse or search the template list and select the one that best fits your client's situation, such as Separation Agreement — Ontario. The panel on the right shows how complete the matter information is for the template.
Choosing Sections and Clauses
Below the template list, Preview & Configure Sections lists every section in the template, with standard clauses covering topics such as:
- Parenting arrangements and decision-making responsibility
- Child support obligations
- Spousal support terms
- Division of property and debts
- Dispute resolution mechanisms
Tick or untick a section or clause to include or exclude it, and expand a section to choose individual clauses. Click a section to preview its wording on the right.
Automatic Data Population
When you click Create, Divorcepath generates the agreement and automatically populates the template with information from the client profile. This includes party names, counsel details, children's details, financial information, and other relevant data. You do not need to manually enter this information, which reduces the risk of errors and saves time. With Open in Editor switched on, the agreement opens in the Document Editor as soon as it is ready.
Customising Content and Clauses
After the agreement is generated, you can customise it to suit the specific needs of the matter:
- Open the agreement in the Document Editor by clicking its name in the matter's document library.
- Open the Sections panel to include or exclude optional sections and clauses. Sections that are not included are labelled not included, and you can preview a section's contents before adding it.
- Edit text directly in the editor to adjust language, add custom terms, or remove provisions that do not apply.
- Use the Document Data panel to review the mapped field values and find each one in the agreement.
The Sections panel is particularly useful for agreements, as it allows you to toggle entire clauses on or off without needing to manually delete or rearrange text.
Reviewing the Agreement
Before finalising the agreement, it is good practice to:
- Review all auto-populated fields to ensure accuracy.
- Open the Review Draft panel, which lists drafting checks for items that may still need your attention. The number of items to review also appears next to the document title.
- Confirm that the correct sections and clauses are included for the matter.
- Check the Calculations panel if the agreement references any calculated values.
- Use the History panel to compare the agreement with an earlier version if multiple edits have been made.
Generating and Saving
The agreement is saved automatically as you work in the editor. You can also:
- Download PDF for review, signing, or filing.
- Download DOCX to share with opposing counsel or edit in another word processor.
- Save As to create a copy of the agreement with a different name, useful for tracking revisions or creating alternative drafts.
The agreement is stored in the matter's document library alongside the matter's court forms and uploaded files.
