Compare your options
Five ways to separate.One is usually right for you.
Lawyers, mediation, collaborative, do-it-yourself templates and FairWell. What each one is for, what it costs, and the honest case for and against.
Cost estimator
Move the sliders. Watch the cost.
Indicative per-spouse ranges, not quotes. Real costs vary a lot by province or state and by complexity, so ask a lawyer or mediator for a quote. Two things drive cost: how much you disagree, and how complex the finances are.
Lawyer-led
Each spouse retains counsel; lawyers negotiate, and litigate if needed.
For: family violence, hidden assets, genuine legal disputes, cross-border matters.
Against: $10K to $100K+ per spouse; months to years; the process itself escalates conflict.
Mediation
A neutral helps you agree; you each get legal advice on the result.
For: couples who can be in a room together and want a fair, fast result.
Against: $3K to $10K; needs both to participate in good faith; not for abuse or big power imbalances.
Collaborative
Lawyers and neutrals sign on to settle without court.
For: complex finances with cooperative spouses; children with special needs.
Against: $8K to $25K per spouse; if it fails, everyone starts over with new lawyers.
DIY templates
A generic form you fill in yourself.
For: very short marriages, no children, no property.
Against: $0 to $200; may not fit your province or state's rules; no disclosure and no guidance.
FairWell, then a lawyer
Guided disclosure and your terms organised from both partners' inputs; a local lawyer prepares the agreement and advises you, at a flat fee where one is offered.
For: most couples who can agree on the big picture and want to be organised before they pay for a lawyer's time.
Against: not for abuse, hidden assets or contested parenting; you still need a lawyer to prepare the agreement and advise you.
Canadian and US ranges from published fee schedules and professionals in our directory. Not a quote. Contested cases with hidden assets, business interests or safety concerns need a lawyer in an active role from the start, and the assessment says so.