Legal Separation vs. Divorce: How Are They Different? Contributions by: Samantha McBride, Esq. FAQ: Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Colorado. Legal separation is a situation where you are no longer living with your spouse but remain legally married. May 27, 2019 July 25, 2018 by Family Law Attorney Bruce A. Mandel. Divorce is a complicated, costly process for all parties to endure. If you are tired of trying to make your marriage work, and therapy has not helped, your first thought may be to consider divorce. Jason Crowley, CFA, CFP, CDFA Nov. 20, 2019. Why consider a legal separation vs. divorce? Like divorce, you will need to make choices about a few topics during a legal separation. The key difference between separation and divorce is that in a divorce, the marital relationship is terminated and in a legal separation, the marriage continues. Unlike divorce, legal separation alone should not impact your immigration status. Considering legal separation? Legal separations are also rarely less expensive than a divorce. Legal Separation vs. Divorce in California June 22, 2020 By US Legal Group, APC Prev Post; Next Post; If you and/or your spouse have decided your marriage must come to an end, you have several options in the state of California. Legal Separation vs Divorce. Are you unsure about the future of your marriage? The biggest difference between a divorce and separating from your spouse is that Georgia won’t divide your property. That’s at par with heterosexual marriages, though at a slightly lower annual divorce rate of around 1%. You and your spouse have to decide how to split up your property while you’re separated. You can still successfully petition to become a permanent resident. You have options when it comes to ending a marital relationship in California. In some cases, spouses will go their separate ways and sever all communication for several years. However, many people choose separation instead. By Tracy Rotharmel Shanks, Attorney . Many of the same issues that would be resolved in a divorce have to be addressed in a legal separation as well. Separation vs. Divorce. California Legal Separation Vs. Divorce (Which Do You Need?) Legal Separation vs. Divorce. INITIAL CONSULTATION. But before discussing this it is important to have a basic understanding of the term “marital community.” In Arizona, when two people get married, the law deems that the two married people now constitute a “community.” This can be a confusing concept. Read on to learn more. Whether a couple chooses separation vs divorce largely depends on their personal circumstances and values. Reasons To Get A Legal Separation . What Are the Pros and Cons of a Legal Separation vs. a Divorce? Unlike divorce, legal separation is an action usually taken with the hope of a reconciliation of the marriage itself. The key difference between legal separation and divorce is that when you are separated, you are still legally married to your spouse even though you are living apart. The major difference is that you’re not free to marry someone else because you’re technically still married. You are still technically married, so you cannot date other people and legally remarry. A divorce is the end. If you have a separation agreement, many states will allow that agreement to be filed with the court and converted into a divorce after a certain period of time without having to assert any other grounds for divorce. Legal Separation vs. Divorce. Schedule a Consultation. This article was published on September 2nd, 2020. Separation. Deciding whether separation or divorce is the right option for your family is ultimately down to your needs. Understandably, you might think this means that they have a legal separation. Legal Separation vs Divorce. Legal separation and divorce are two options for married couples who wish to part ways. A spouse may still request court adjudication of certain issues if there are children involved and the parents are living apart. Separation vs Divorce: Know the Difference and Your Options. As a result, many couples are now finding that there may be a more cost-effective, beneficial resolution to their marital woes. Divorcing spouses should thoughtfully consider legal separation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 34 percent of marriage relationships ended in divorce as of 2011, making this an increasingly significant issue. Legal separation and filing for a divorce are two distinct and different legal situations, even though the outcomes of each are rather similar. Pros and Cons of Divorce and Separation. Learn the difference between a legal separation and a divorce in California before making a decision. They both financially separate the two spouses, and have orders for custody, placement, and child support. Legal separation vs. divorce in Arizona: the basics . Differences Between Separation and Divorce. So, why would couples choose this option? Paul Wallin. This means that spousal rights are still in place until the actual divorce takes place. Legal Separation vs. In this blog, we discuss the difference between these two options and hopefully help you decide which will work best for your situation. Just keep in mind that your marriage may be scrutinized more heavily. Marriage partners in Colorado who have decided to conclude their marriages may choose from several legal options. A separation does not fully dissolve the marriage. It’s worth noting that legal separation is not a simpler process. Legal Separation vs. Divorce in California: What’s Right for You? Understanding the Differences Between Legal Separation vs Divorce. The difference between divorce and legal separation. Survive Divorce is reader-supported. In some cases, couples find that the benefits of being legally separated trump an official end to their marriage. That’s not to say that you can’t resolve your differences during the divorce process. Answers to common questions about the difference between divorce and legal separation. You can either get divorced or get a legal separation agreement. How to prevent a temporary separation from becoming a permanent divorce. While the legal separation vs divorce process differ, there’s one important difference between them – a couple who have obtained a legal separation agreement are still married to each other, while a couple that divorces is no longer married. Nearly 50 percent of same-sex marriages end in divorce. Time to clear up some confusion… Despite what some people may believe, a legal separation is much more than just one spouse simply moving out of the family home. Legal separation and divorce both involve a couple living separately with a specific legal agreement. (480) 240-0040. Legal separation and divorce follow very similar processes. Separation vs. Divorce. Many people will ask a divorce lawyer if they should pursue a legal separation before pursuing a final divorce. There may be many options available to you to move forward, and those options can become overwhelming if not properly understood. Here are some tips to help you explore the difference between separation and divorce. Some links may be from our sponsors. Both of these do involve a filing with the court, and, ultimately, both spouses will be bound by the terms of these decisions. If you are contemplating a divorce you have likely thought long and hard about the idea of living life without your significant other. After a divorce, each spouse is free to go their own way, and they are also allowed to remarry. Most people thinking about ending the marriage are not well versed in the laws and procedure necessary to begin the separation or divorce process. Legal Separation vs Divorce. More often than not, this is actually a very poor idea. Divorce laws vary from state to state, and so it’s no surprise that regulations governing legal separation vary from state to state, too. Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Colorado. Divorce vs. Legal Separation—Effects on Marital Community. If you later decide to get divorced, you'll have to go through the legal steps necessary to terminate your marriage. During a divorce, all of your joint possessions, and some that aren’t joint, are included in the division of assets. While there are a lot of similar practical legal ramifications of having a legal separation, it is important to know the distinction of separation vs divorce. For example, a husband or wife is still considered next of kin when it comes to medical decision making. Some of these thoughts may lead you to postpone your divorce, and decide on a legal separation. Separation vs Divorce. If this is your situation, a legal separation offers you the opportunity to develop mutually-beneficial agreements in mediation, while taking the time you need to emotionally prepare for divorce. Legal Separation vs Divorce. When you and your spouse have made the difficult decision to end your marriage, you have two options. 4. If you want to end your marriage, and you don’t believe you’ll be able to negotiate a settlement with your spouse, then filing for divorce is the obvious choice. And just as marriage has legal implications for taxes, liabilities and ownership of property, if you are ending a marriage, you have to consider these same issues. Legal Separation vs. Divorce: Which Do You Choose? Each has its own benefits. You need to go through the same process as a divorce to get legally separated. Legal Separation vs Divorce in Arizona In Arizona, legal separation is the process that allows a couple to live separately while still being married, whereas divorce is the legal process of marriage termination. Also, if you have unconditional resident status based on a marriage you will not lose that status through legal separation. Why Choose Legal Separation vs. Divorce? Separation vs. Divorce in Michigan; Definition of a Legal Separation in Iowa; Obviously, no marriage sets out to end in divorce or legal separation, but the reality is that many do. Separation vs Divorce. June 27, 2014 Divorce divorce vs. legal separation Paul Wallin. The biggest difference between divorce and legal separation is that a couple is still legally married during separation. Some couples decide on separation rather than divorce; their religious views may bar divorce, for example, or they may wish to keep certain benefits available only to a married couple, such as family health insurance. Both divorce and legal separation terminate the marital community. Love + Sex Relationship Advice Brian Webb. Before comparing the two, it’s important to know how living separately from one another and making their separation legal is different. Most couples end their marriages through divorce, but some opt for legal separation instead. In Alabama, signing for divorce legally ends a marriage. Divorce. In an uncomplicated separation, the spouses can live away from one another, and no papers are filed within the court and does not require any type of written contract. Legal separation can serve as a step in between marriage and divorce, when either one or both parties are not emotionally ready to pursue divorce. A legal separation is very much like a divorce. Before you choose to divorce, let a Leadville family law attorney explain to you the pros and cons of legal separation and annulment as well as divorce. 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