How to prove my separation

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can help me with a bit of information - I have separated but not yet got a Separation Agreement finalised and I need to prove my separation for the purposes of my daughter's student finance application. They ask for a letter from a solicitor or something from a Law Centre. I haven't got a solicitor involved yet, because I think I can write the separation agreement pretty much myself, and since it is amicable we should be able to agree on it. So a couple of questions really - do I have to get a solicitor to 'sign' or witness the agreement anyway? (seeing as it isn't legally binding, why do I need this?) If so, what proof will they need? and does anyone know what proof the Law Centre will need to sign such a form? Thanks

To have a hope of having a separation agreement stand you both need to have advice on it, otherwise it fails straight away. If you take such advice a solicitor should then be prepared to say so in a letter - but no one can really say that you are separated, only that they are advising you about it.

Amanda