Divorce Agreement Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Divorce Agreement, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Divorce Agreement?

“The agreement during a divorce that divides the property, child support, visitation rights, and alimony or child support. This settlement agreement is approved by the court, is submitted in writing and signed by both parties.

History and Meaning of Divorce Agreement

A divorce agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of a divorce settlement between two parties. The main aim of the document is to help both parties separate as fairly and amicably as possible, especially regarding issues relating to custody, property division, child support, and alimony. The agreement must be submitted to a court for approval and can be drafted either by the two parties themselves or with the aid of an attorney.

Examples of Divorce Agreement

  1. After months of negotiations, John and Jane finally reached a divorce agreement that gave Jane primary custody of the children and awarded John the house they had purchased together.
  2. Sarah refused to sign the divorce agreement her ex-husband had proposed because she thought it unfairly favored him.
  3. The court rejected the initial divorce agreement submitted by the parties, forcing them to go back to the negotiating table.

Legal Terms Similar to Divorce Agreement

  1. Prenuptial agreement: A legal contract entered into before marriage that outlines how a couple’s assets and debts will be handled in case of divorce or death.
  2. Separation agreement: A written contract between two people who are separated, which covers issues such as alimony, child custody, and property division, and can be incorporated into a divorce agreement if and when the parties file for a divorce.
  3. Mediation agreement: A document that records the terms of a settlement reached during mediation, which can be used as the basis for a divorce agreement.