The basic section is where you put in your foundational information for the agreement. This includes essential details like your names, addresses, income, and other important details.

It's important to input the information as you want to see it in the agreement because the quality of your separation agreement directly correlates with the accuracy and completeness of the information you provide. Taking the time to ensure everything is entered correctly from the start will save you significant effort later. This means spelling names and addresses correctly, writing out abbreviations in full, and using proper capitalization throughout.

When reviewing the preview of your agreement, you'll be able to see exactly how your inputs appear in the final document. If you notice any errors or want to make adjustments, you can always return to the Agreement Builder to make changes. This is particularly important because many pieces of information are used in multiple sections throughout the agreement. By fixing an error once in the Builder, you ensure it's corrected everywhere it appears, eliminating the need to hunt down and fix multiple instances later.

The matter details section requires you to determine which components should be included in your Separation Agreement. While every situation is unique, certain sections are nearly universal in Separation Agreements.

Support and property matters are addressed in almost every Separation Agreement. Even in situations where spousal support isn't being provided, it's crucial to include this section so you can formally waive your right to it. This waiver is itself an agreement that should be properly documented to avoid future complications.

Property division should be addressed regardless of whether you have major assets. Generally, most people need to address Canada Pension Plan benefits, bank accounts, and credit card responsibilities. These seemingly minor financial matters can become significant issues if left unaddressed.

For couples with children, generally a Separation Agreement typically includes four key sections: Parenting Arrangements, Child Support, Spousal Support, and Property Division. Those without children should still ensure their agreement thoroughly covers Spousal Support and property matters.

When entering income figures for both yourself and your spouse, you should ultimately use the income amounts from your formal support calculation. Initially, you can work with your best estimate of current income or use line 15,000 from your most recent income tax return as a starting point.

However, after completing a more thorough support calculation process, you'll need to return to the basic section and update these income figures to reflect the accurate amounts. This ensures that all support calculations and related provisions in your agreement are based on the correct financial information, providing a solid foundation for your Separation Agreement moving forward.