Q: Which takes priority the legal separation agreement or divorce decree
A:
When a Decree of Divorce is signed by the Judge and filed with the clerk, the case is ended. If the divorce ended by agreement of the parties, the divorce decree will indicate that a divorce is granted to both parties. Usually, the grounds are incompatibility. The divorce decree can include specific terms of the divorce, or it can incorporate a separate document such as a legal separation agreement. The separation agreement must be filed with the decree and the terms in the agreement become the terms of the divorce.
If the parties signed a separation agreement that has never been filed with the court and the a divorce decree has been signed and filed with the court, the case is over and the documents filed with the court are the only ones that have any legal authority.
Lee Thompson agrees with this answer
A: Question is unclear but as Mr. Heir states, the divorce decree would.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.