Separation Agreements

Ennersdale3

In making an offer to buy my former partners share of equity out from the house we both own I made my offer subject to a number of items (e.g. removal of their name from the house insurance, joint bank account etc). There are no children involved and I already now have all the utility bills in my name.
His solicitor is seeking a Separation Agreement to be signed. I do not see the need for this (as there are only a handful of subjectivities to my offer - all of which are straight forward and logical). I do not see any need for a Separation Agreement let alone why I should have to pay half towards it.
Would appreciate any views/advice.      

saajan_12

This isn't really a house buying / selling question, perhaps for relationships or legal. The house part of it can be handled by agreeing something and then when the conditions are met, you both go to a solicitor to simultaneously transfer the title. 
It doesn't have to be more formal but it can be. So its up to you (both)_.

user1977

Ennersdale3 said:

let alone why I should have to pay half towards it.   

Pay half towards what?

gwynlas

Are you married/civil partnership?

An agreement including financial settlement can only be of benefit to you.

Albermarle

 I do not see any need for a Separation Agreement

They can be useful as a way of closing off the situation permanently.
It stops one person coming back later, saying whatever was done was not fair etc and reopening talks/arguments.

Ennersdale3

No - we are not married nor in a civil relationship - just co-habiting. My former partners solicitor is proposing that we both pay half of the cost of the Separation Agreement. 
My view is that the subjectivities should suffice and, if my former partner wants a Separation Agreement, then my former partner can pay for it and I will only accept it if it dovetails fully with my subjectivities.   

DE_612183

How much is it going to cost?

Does your ex-partners name need to be removed from the deeds?

user1977

Ennersdale3 said:

No - we are not married nor in a civil relationship - just co-habiting. My former partners solicitor is proposing that we both pay half of the cost of the Separation Agreement. 

Do you mean you pay half of your ex's solicitor's fee? I'd expect you each to be responsible for your own legal costs (if any).

Ennersdale3

The proposal is that we each pay half of the costs of the Separation Agreement.  
Additionally we will each be responsible for our own legal costs for the transfer of equity. The latter I have no problem with.   

user1977

Ennersdale3 said:

The proposal is that we each pay half of the costs of the Separation Agreement.  

That's still not clear. By "the costs of the Separation Agreement" do you mean the legal costs your ex is incurring by asking their solicitor to draft it? Or something else?

Ennersdale3

The legal costs my ex is incurring by asking their solicitor to draft it.