Separating means the end of a marriage or a de facto relationship. It can be an emotional time. You need to think about practical matters like arrangements for children and dividing your money and property. It is legally possible to be separated under one roof. It is important to access reliable and accurate information about separation.
It is important to take care of yourself during separation. Whatever your situation, support services are available.
What counts as the date of separation?
This might be the date you or your former partner moved out, the date you told your friends and family you had broken up or any other date you and your former partner agree that the relationship had broken down.
Separation under one roof
Separation under one roof is when a couple separate but continue to live in the same home. This can be for a few days, weeks, months or even years after separation. To demonstrate that you are genuinely separated you usually need to be able to show that you no longer share the usual activities of a relationship, such as sleeping together in the same bed, shopping and eating together, entertaining friends, and socialising as a couple. If you are not sure if you are genuinely separated you can seek legal help about separating, from the free Legal Help Line in your state or territory.