What are Legal Separations?

Legal separation occurs when a couple wants to separate formally without getting a divorce. Legal Separations involve the same legal documents and procedure as a Divorce action. One can always convert a final Decree of Separation to a final Divorce Decree upon motion. All the issues that a divorce action addresses, like division of debts and assets, spousal maintenance and child support, parenting plans, restraining orders, etc. can be dealt with in a Legal Separation case.

Some people choose to pursue a Legal Separation because of religious grounds or to continue health insurance benefits through the other spouse, which a final divorce would terminate.