Divorce Settlement Agreement Template

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All states
Updated Jun 12, 2025
~ 6 pages
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A Divorce Settlement Agreement is a legal document between spouses outlining the division of assets, child custody, and financial support after separation. It is used to finalize divorce terms peacefully and ensure fairness without extended court involvement.
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Written by Karyna Pukaniuk - Reviewed by Kate Adkham, LLB

Template Description

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Paper titled "Divorce Settlement Agreement", rings, broken heart, car keys, house keys, arguing couple

What Is a Divorce Settlement Agreement?

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A divorce settlement agreement is a contract between spouses who are ending their marriage. It explains everything they agree on — from who keeps the house or car to how they will share parenting duties. It also includes things like spousal support (sometimes called alimony) and how to handle debts.

What Should Be Included in a Divorce Settlement Agreement

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It depends on many conditions, including the needs of the spouses and the assets they share:

  • Full names of both spouses;  

  • Marriage details and reason for divorce;  

  • Child custody and support agreements;

  • Spousal support (if needed);

  • Property and asset division;

  • Division of debts and loans;  

  • Rules about taxes;

  • Date of the agreement and signatures;  

  • A state whose laws apply (legal jurisdiction).

What To Ask For in a Divorce Settlement Agreement

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You can ask for anything related to the life you built together during your marriage. Some common requests you can find in divorce settlement agreement examples available online include:

  • Custody of children and parenting time; 

  • Monthly child support or spousal support;  

  • Sole ownership of certain belongings;

  • How to divide bills or shared debt; 

  • Who gets the pet;

  • Plans for health coverage; 

  • Rules about future communication.

Each spouse can make requests tailored to their specific situation, but both must ultimately agree to the terms.

How To Write a Divorce Settlement Agreement

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You can draft a divorce settlement agreement using a trusted divorce settlement agreement template. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:

  1. Add the names of both spouses and list their current addresses.

  2. Include marriage details, such as the wedding date, location, and confirmation that both spouses want to end the marriage.

  3. Mention children (if any), along with their names and birth dates.

  4. Write about property and list who will take which assets, like the family home, vehicles, furniture, or any other shared items.

  5. List debts and loans and explain who will be responsible for paying each one.

  6. Explain child custody and create a plan for visitation, school, holidays, and day-to-day care. You can also agree on the size of child support.

  7. Add tax agreements such as who will claim the kids on tax returns or how to handle joint taxes.

  8. Choose a legal state to apply the law. This is often the state where the divorce is filed.

  9. Review and sign the settlement agreement divorce template. Both spouses should carefully read everything, sign it, and record the signing date.

Keep copies of the simple divorce settlement agreement PDF and have the signatures notarized to make it stronger.

When Does a Divorce Settlement Agreement Become Binding?

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The divorce settlement agreement sample becomes legally binding after a judge approves it and includes it in the final divorce order. Before that, it shows each side’s understanding, but it does not have legal force. After approval, both people must follow the terms unless a court changes them later.

What Happens After the Divorce Settlement Agreement Is Signed?

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Once both parties have signed the divorce settlement agreement form, the latter is submitted to the court, and a judge adds it to the final judgment. After that, the document is official, and ex-spouses are obligated to comply with its terms — failing to do so could lead to legal consequences.

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