1. Record the separation date and immediate arrangements
Write down when the relationship ended and what changed at that time. Record temporary arrangements for children, housing and expenses. Avoid relying on memory where dates may later affect legal or financial issues.
2. Protect essential financial information
Gather recent tax returns, notices of assessment, pay information, bank and investment statements, mortgage records, pension information, credit-card balances and major loan documents. If there is a business, collect corporate and accounting records that show ownership and income.
3. Make a complete property and debt list
List real estate, vehicles, investments, pensions, business interests, valuable personal property and debts. Note what existed at the start of the relationship, what was acquired later and whether any inheritance or gift is involved. Do not transfer or dispose of significant assets merely to simplify the list.
4. Create a child-focused parenting proposal
Separate the child’s schedule from unresolved financial or relationship conflict. Consider school days, transitions, holidays, medical needs, activities, travel and communication. B.C. offers free Parenting After Separation education and Family Justice services. Parenting After Separation
5. Identify support information
Child and spousal support calculations can require accurate income information and details about parenting and expenses. Self-employed or variable income can require deeper analysis than a single pay stub.
6. Review insurance, beneficiaries and estate documents
Separation can affect the practical purpose of wills, powers of attorney, beneficiary designations and insurance arrangements. Do not make changes blindly where an agreement, court order or support obligation may restrict what should be changed.
7. Decide what needs temporary agreement
It may be useful to document interim arrangements for occupancy of the home, payment of recurring expenses, use of vehicles, parenting schedules and access to accounts. Temporary solutions should not accidentally create unintended long-term concessions.
8. Get advice before final settlement
Property transfers, support releases and parenting terms can have long-term consequences. Independent legal advice can identify missing disclosure, enforceability concerns and issues a generic template does not address. See our Burnaby family-law guide and lawyer-selection guide.