Your date of separation is the date you began living separate and apart from your partner. You can still live in the same house and be living separate and apart. If you do continue to live in the same house, you should establish a specific separation date.
The date of separation is important in family law. There are limitation periods that can be affected by the date of separation. For example, a criteria for divorce is that you have been living separate and apart for at least one year. Under the Family Law Act, you have two years from the date of separation to make a claim for spousal support or property division.
If you are unsure about your date of separation, you should speak to a lawyer. You can have a free 30-minute consultation with a lawyer through the Lawyer Referral Service.
For more information about issues related to starting a separation, see the How to Separate website. If you need help to learn more about your legal rights and options to separate or divorce, visit LawCoachBC or a Family Justice Centre.
