Q:

I quit, and boss offered me 3 month "grace period" where I could still come back

There was a recent death in my family and I need more time to focus on my mental health & family, so I tried to quit my job. I had already taken a 2 month leave of absence earlier in the year and returned to work, but things haven't gotten better and I decided to leave and move back home to spend more time with my family. 
When I went to quit, my boss offered me a 3 month "grace period" where we would meet again and I could get my job back if I wanted it. I figure I have nothing to lose? He's drafting up a contract to make it official that I'm leaving and that we'll revisit this in 3 months. I think he doesn't want me to quit or thinks that I will change my mind, but I feel like I've moved on and want to pursue other opportunities. 
Has anyone ever had this happen to them? I plan on waiting out the 3 months and just letting him know that I won't be back for real, but I'm worried there will be something weird in the contract? Is anything about this situation sketchy or will be bad for me in the long term? Any suggestions for how to handle this?
UPDATE: Thank you to all who have answered! I've looked at the contract now and it's an extended leave of absence form. I'm very hesitant to sign it because one of the conditions is a non-compete, where I can't work or do business in any capacity or solicit work from the company's existing clients. I understand the non-compete part but this section is worded like I can't find any work at all? I would like a clean break, so this seems like a red flag. Am I reading too much into it? Is it worth having a lawyer look over? 

A:

It seems to me that your boss believes the reasons you are leaving are entirely about you: your loss, your grief, your health. Your boss hopes that in a few months, these reasons will change leaving you back where you were before the loss: liking your job and happy to do it.
If you have information that your boss doesn't (actually I was getting pretty fed up of the job anyway before this happened, or just being in the building reminds me of those awful times) then you could spare them the trouble of writing up an official "permission to re-apply" contract by being honest now and then just walking away. But since your boss is making this offer, I'd say let it happen. Focus on yourself and your recovery for 3 months. Don't look for other jobs. Relax, get better.
About two months from now, when you think about returning to work, will you dread it? Does looking for jobs and going to interviews feel like a horrible burden or an exciting opportunity? Does it feel like a "safety net" to know your old job is waiting for you, or an anchor, or what? As the three-month mark appears will you be worried?
If knowing your old job is waiting means "I will have money and a place to go and people I already know" then that's a good thing. Your boss is offering you that. If it means "I owe an obligation to people I want nothing to do with" then that's not so good. You are unlikely to know which it is (because it's a mix of the two) until closer to that three month mark.
As for "hitches" or "catches" in this "contract" it doesn't sound like any are planned and in many jurisdictions they are not legally possible. The real reason for declining now instead of 3 months from now is to be nice to someone who is going out on a limb for you. The real reason for waiting is that a person who is unable to work due to grief and other issues is often also unable to make the right long term decisions: knowing that, it's wise to avoid long term decisions that don't have to be made immediately.

A:

Be grateful for the opportunity. It seems your boss is really valuing your work. Do not dismiss this opportunity right now. Wait the three months and see where you are then. You can always decide after three months to not return.

I'm worried there will be something weird in the contract?

If the wording of the contract is unclear, or if you are afraid it makes you promise something you cannot deliver, have a lawyer look at it. If you are a union member, they may provide job related legal counsel for free, or for a reduced fee. 

A:

One possible reason for the formal contract could be that your boss is not sure if he is going to be in the company in three months. If he i still there when you return, he could just give you a new contract but if he leaves, his promise will just be forgotten and he cannot help you anymore. By giving you a contract, he makes the promise official and binds the company to it. 

