| In the United States, there are statistics that indicate | | | | ground that this process is meant at simply canceling |
| that half of all marriages will end up in a divorce or | | | | a marriage. |
| legal separation. Often people do not differentiate | | | | What are the benefits of a legal separation? Legal |
| between divorce and legal separation. Both divorce | | | | separation often takes place when both parties |
| and legal separation refer to the situation when a | | | | prefer to stay married for religious reasons. |
| couple decides not to live together anymore. But | | | | That’s why legal separation is often coined |
| being separated is much different than being | | | | catholic legal separation since it preserves the religious |
| divorced. | | | | marriage. Legal separation is not only pursued for |
| What does legal separation mean? Legal separation | | | | religious reasons, but also for tax reasons. Unlike a |
| generally refers to a court order which acknowledges | | | | divorce, the non-custodial parent may be able to |
| that a couple is no longer living together and that all | | | | deduct from his/her income taxes spousal support |
| the issues regarding the marriage have been | | | | payments. Some also prefer not to wait for the |
| resolved. A legal separation generally means that both | | | | state statutory waiting period for termination of |
| parties reached an agreement concerning child | | | | marital status. That’s one of the reasons why a |
| custody, child visitation, child support, spousal support | | | | legal separation is often pursued to set the |
| or alimony, distribution of property, attorney fees, | | | | parameters for dealing with one another while living |
| and personal conduct. However, in a legal separation | | | | separate and apart while keeping the married status, |
| both parties remain married to each other. Indeed | | | | and leaving an opportunity for a reunion or |
| spouses who are just legally separated are not | | | | resumption of marriage. However being legally |
| allowed to marry another person. | | | | separated is not a requirement before filing a divorce. |
| Divorce, also known as a decree of dissolution of | | | | In other words, a legal separation is not a prerequisite |
| marriage, is also a court order but it is for the | | | | of the dissolution of a marriage or divorce. |
| purpose to dissolve or terminate a marriage. Both | | | | If you are considering a legal separation, divorce, or |
| parties are allowed to marry another person following | | | | dissolution of marriage you would be wise to consult |
| a divorce since they have returned to an unmarried | | | | an attorney who can inform you legally about your |
| status. An annulment differs from a divorce on the | | | | particular divorce or legal separation matter. |