Newly separated and need advice

[scoobydoo]

I just told my partner this weekend that our 5 year common-law relationship is over. We have one son 4 years old. I own the house we live in and currently the provide the sole financial support to the household.

We have a lot of debts (mine and ours, not much of hers alone) although I make good money its just enough to keep us going and not much extra. I want and will move out as soon as possible but realize that financial considerations may make this hard to do.

What are the immediate things I need to do now? What do I not want to do/agree to that will make precedent later on or make the tax man unhappy? Can I move out now and have an interim support agreement between the two of us before we divide up property/debts? Can we still live together and be legally separated for tax purposes?

As far as custody is concerned I cannot take full-time or even regular part-time custody of my son once I move out because of my job. I am on the road at least 2 weeks a months as well as on call at other times. What kind of custody arrangements should I be considering?

Thanks

[dadtotheend]

Do not move out of that house until after you have consulted a lawyer!!!!!!! If you do, you will be comitting cardinal sin #1 in family law!!!!

I mean it big time!!!!

You are going to be, or should be, flooded with responses saying the same thing.

[billiechic]

Can you and your ex still get along? You really should speak to a lawyer, so youcan find out what your options are. But if you and your ex can come to an agreement that you both think is fair then that is the best.