If you and your partner agree on some or all of your issues, you can put what you've agreed on in a separation agreement or you can get a consent order.
A separation agreement is a written contract that you and your partner make that says how you will deal with your issues. You can make a separation agreement at any time. You and your partner sign it and then you must both follow it. It does not need to be approved by a judge before you sign it.
A consent order is a court order that says what you and your partner agree to. You can only enter into a consent order if one of you has started a court case. If you and your partner have written your agreement in minutes of settlement, you can make that into a consent order. Or you may have written a draft consent order that you agree to. A judge has to approve and sign your consent order.
A consent order and a separation agreement filed with the court can be enforced by the court. This means the court can order you and your partner to follow it.
The Step Make a separation agreement gives you information about why making a separation agreement can be useful and how to make one.
The Step Bring a regular motion has information on how to make a consent order.
Previous step:
File your documents in court
