Q: after a 15 year relationship but not married, do I need to do a legal separation, or do I need to do anything.
A: Only if the two of you have acquired real estate or other items of substantial value that you need to ensure are divided equitably. Barring that scenario, take with you the good memories and, hopefully, some lessons learned and move on. Leave all the bad memories and any resentment behind. We're getting ready to start a new year. Hopefully it will be a better one for all of us; your ex included (not implying that her year will be better because you are breaking up, I know this is a response from an attorney, but there is no attempt here at subliminal communication - trying to say you can BOTH have a better year even though you are no longer together - let the record reflect the author is not qualified as a therapist so not only is this not official legal advice, it is REALLY not therapy).
A: I must add: or if you have children. If you have children, you need to iron out custody, visitation, child support, etc. No children, no significant assets, no problem.
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