Divorce Settlement Agreements: The Problem of Merger or Incorporation and the Status of the Agreement in Relation to the Decree

I. Introduction ... A. Sources of Problems ... B. General Principles II. The Agreement As It Relates to the Divorce Decree ... A. Intention of the Parties ... 1. Terms of Art ... 2. Discerning Actual Intent ... B. Application of a Presumption ... C. Stipulation or Independent Contract ... D. Statutory Solutions ... 1. Status of the Agreement ... a. UMDA Approach ... b. Other Statutory Approaches ... 2. Court Modification of Hybrid Decrees ... a. UMDA Approach ... b. Other Approaches III. Conclusion ... A. A Clear Standard ... B. A Workable Mode