Divorce property settlement examples Australia: Following the recent separation of billionaires Bill and Melinda Gates after 27 years of marriage, it has been reported that the couple chose to separate amicably and to privately negotiate their property settlement outside of the Court and public eye. Upon the breakdown of a marriage or de facto relationship, parties can either negotiate and formalise a property settlement agreement privately (either by way of Consent Orders or a Binding Financial Agreement) or they can...