Fairly amicable separation. Do we need a lawyer?
I'm wanting some advice on whether I need to actually engage a lawyer. Both of us would rather not spend extra on lawyers as our situation is relatively uncomplicated.
We've been married for approx 4 years, with no property or kids. The only "asset" is a car I own from before marriage (bought few months prior). We've otherwise shared expenses throughout our marriage for rent, living expenses and furniture. Money for rent was specifically transferred to my dad (he owns the place), so there was no official written agreement for this.
My savings also sat in his account for the last couple years (to reduce tax on interest as my income was higher). He's since returned it all.
I've returned all his gifts (including gold, luxury items, the ring), paid him back for his contribution to some of my medical expenses and our cat's surgery as I'm keeping her.
He's recently asking for few extra thousand as I'm keeping the bulk of the furniture.
I'm also paying for his rental car back to his parent's home interstate.
Recently I also got into a car accident where I was at fault and unfortunately the policy was under him, so he's made the claim but the agreement is that I'll pay the difference in premium increases the next few years if he gets a car.
I've written all this out as a message in our Facebook chat and he's agreed to it.
I don't think things will escalate from here but just in case, do I need to do anything further to protect myself? My savings are currently less than his but I anticipate I will overtake him during our separation period so would he have any claim to that? And what about after the divorce is finalised? If I wanted to buy property straight after, is there any issue with that?