After you’ve written your agreement,

• It’s a good idea to see a lawyer before you sign it, to make sure that you have protected your rights. For this reason, you should each see a different lawyer.
• When you are ready, make sure both of you sign the agreement.
• Make copies and file the original with the court. If there are problems later, the judge will see what you both agreed to. Judges take these agreements very seriously.
• You can also make your agreement into what is called a ―stipulated court order, which is a formal order that a judge makes in court to confirm the agreement between the two of you.