Case Study: Ingrid & Neil
After 15 months of living apart, Ingrid and Neil, parents to two young adults, sought a fair and equitable separation. Overwhelmed by traditional legal approaches, they found solace in Simple Separation's emphasis on positive relationships and straightforward procedures which led to them efficiently finalising their financial settlement, maintaining their family's harmony.
This case study highlights Simple Separation's commitment to providing a dignified and cost-effective pathway for couples to embrace their futures independently.
Read the full Q and A with Ingrid to learn more about her experience using Simple Separation:
How long were you separated before you decided you wanted to legalise your separation?
We had been living separately for about 15months before we decided to legalise the separation.
Were you married or De Facto? Do you have children?
We met and married in our early twenties and have two children who are now young adults. Our eldest is now 21 and studying at university and our youngest is about to turn 20 and lives at home with his dad.
How would you describe your communication with your partner?
While the separation was painful and not what we had envisioned for our future when we got married over 24years ago, we still have a lot of love and respect for each other. Sometimes people move and grow in different directions and realise that the paths they want to take are different. While the separation period was an extremely difficult time and there were lots of emotional discussions and decisions to be made, we were able to maintain a productive level of communication.
Before you found Simple Separation were you in agreement with your ex about how you would separate legally (eg splitting of assets or time with the children) or did you need help in reaching agreement?
Before we found Simple Separation, we had formed a rough agreement of how we would like to split assets, but both of us felt it was important to seek advice to ensure that what we were thinking was fair and equitable.
Did you research options for separating legally? What was your experience like?
Not long after we separated, I sought some legal advice from an independent lawyer and was quite overwhelmed by the experience. The advice I was given felt aggressive and seemed to assume that my former partner was not going to be reasonable. They frightened me and made me doubt that we could maintain a respectful relationship throughout the process. Our family was my utmost priority, and while it was going to look very different after the separation, I knew that if we maintained respectful communication, we could have a future where we could share in our children’s lives together. This consultation made me scared that that vision could be put in jeopardy if I pursued legal separation in this traditional way. The projected costings they quoted me at the time also made me pause the process.
How did you find out about Simple Sep?
I had a colleague who had gone through her own separation quite smoothly, so I sought her advice. She told me about Simple Separation and how easy the process was for her and her ex-husband. As I knew their separation hadn’t been as amicable as ours, it seemed that this could be a really good option for us.
What made you choose Simple Sep?
I began researching Simple Separation online and completed the quiz on their website. I looked through the reviews and was impressed with how simple, open and honest it all felt. It felt like the priority was maintaining a positive and productive relationship between the parties, for the mutual benefit of each. There were none of the pitting each party against each other vibes that I got when looking into legalising the separation before.
How did you come to an agreement with your ex to use Simple Sep?
I discussed the option of using Simple Separation with my former partner and after looking into it himself, he agreed it would be a good option. We then completed the forms to get our quote, which was a really reasonable and fixed cost, and commenced the process.
What services did you engage Simple Sep for?
As our children were grown, we just needed support with our financial settlement agreement to split our assets and liabilities. Because we had already reached an agreement ourselves, we were able to use the ‘Separation Ready’ service.
Can you describe how you felt before you found Simple Sep? Eg how were you feeling?
Before I found Simple Separation I was feeling really anxious about the impact legalising our separation would have on our family relationship. It made me delay the process which meant I was not able to fully move on and embrace my new independent life.
Can you describe how you felt after you completed the process?
After I completed the process, I felt a great sense of relief. Relief that it was so simple, relief that we stayed amicable, relief that we both felt everything was fair and equitable and relief that we can both now move forward with confidence.
What was your experience like going through the process?
From my first consultation with Gerard to gather our financial information, to my final signing with my independently assigned lawyer Caroline via Zoom; everything was organised, professional and respectful. Christina has created a fantastic organisation that supports families by providing a forum where couples can legally separate in a fair, simple and cost-effective way. This has ensured my relationship with my ex-partner has remained positive, which will allow our children to enjoy family events and experiences with both their parents moving into the future. It is for this, that I am most grateful.
Would you recommend Simple Sep and why?
I would recommend Simple Separation without hesitation. Everybody has the right to control the direction of their own life; to change, grow and alter their path. Simple Separation allows couples a pathway which respects and honours their past, while allowing them to choose, embrace and prepare for their future. Simple, equitable, affordable and fast.