Legal Separation

What Is a Legal Separation?

A legal separation is a court-ordered arrangement whereby a married couple lives apart, leading separate lives. A legal separation is a popular alternative to a divorce when the parties are unsure of the state of their marriage but want to establish financial boundaries and responsibilities, such as separation of assets, custody of dependents, and child support.

How a Legal Separation Works

Although the reasons for seeking a legal separation vary, there are some common ones worth noting. Some religions prohibit married couples from divorcing and a legal separation grants most of the benefits of a divorce without compromising religious tenets. Also, those unsure of their marital future may opt for a legal separation, hoping for a reconciliation. Couples with minor children often cite that a legal separation is more ideal for their children than a divorce. Although the parents function as a separate unit, the family may remain together, maintaining stability and order, for the most part. Another reason for opting for this arrangement is to retain health and retirement benefits.

When the actual date of separation is determined, it freezes a spouse’s ability to freely spend money from a joint credit card or bank account. It also limits control over other assets such as properties and vehicles.

For those who want a divorce, a legal separation is required in some states before a judge will grant one.

It’s important to treat a legal separation as seriously as a divorce because both are orders of the court, containing duties and obligations that each party must legally uphold. If the couple later divorces, judges may consider the details of the separation agreement when ruling on a divorce.

Special Considerations

For some, reaching their 10th anniversary is a monumental occasion, but it is also a milestone that affects future benefits. For couples deciding to part ways, a legal separation may keep benefit entitlements intact. For example, military spouses must remain married for a decade to take advantage of the benefits provided by the Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act.

Also, having remained married for at least 10 years qualifies ex-spouses for certain spousal Social Security benefits. If your spouse will draw significantly more Social Security than you will in retirement, it is beneficial to remain married for a minimum of 10 years so you can draw a larger sum by drawing on your spouse's Social Security retirement benefits.

In spite of the pain from a split, sometimes a legal separation makes sense when a divorce doesn't. For example, a legal separation can be temporary, while a divorce is permanent. Some couples legally separate when trial separations don't work. This may be their last attempt at saving their marriage.

Additionally, a legal separation is often simpler and more cost-effective than a divorce. Many parents also find that their children are better able to adjust to a divorce if they legally separate first.

Other Types of Separation

Legal separation isn't the only option for couples who prefer to separate instead of divorce.

Trial separation

Unlike a legal separation, a trial separation is an informal decision by a couple to temporarily separate. As the name suggests, couples use this approach when they aren't entirely certain about the separation and want to test whether or not a separation is right for them.

Permanent separation

Permanent separation is considered by some to be the stage preceding a legal separation. Unlike a trial separation, the couple has at this point decided to separate permanently, and assume there is no hope for reconciliation. However, for whatever reason — perhaps due to health insurance issues, costs, or just inertia — the couple has not taken action to mark the separation in court.

Separation vs. Divorce vs. Annulment

Though a divorce marks the official end of a valid marriage, an annulment treats the marriage as if it had never happened. In other words, a judge grants an annulment indicating that the court does not recognize the arrangement as having been a legally valid marriage.

There are a number of scenarios in which a person can request an annulment. Among them:

In most cases, the legal termination of a marriage will result in a divorce. Unlike a separation, a divorce is permanent. This means both spouses are free to remarry. However — depending on the state where the couple lived and how long the marriage lasted — a divorce also means the termination of economic benefits such as shared insurance, assets, and liabilities.

Ultimately, electing for a divorce over a legal separation or vice versa is a personal choice. Factors such as the cost of the divorce, religious beliefs, the shared benefits that come with remaining married, any time-frame thresholds such as a 10-year anniversary for military couples, as well as simple uncertainty about permanently ending the marriage may make separation the correct choice.

When crafting a legal separation, both spouses should thoroughly address any issues about responsibilities, shared assets, or any other situation specific to the marriage that needs to be addressed. If the terms of the agreement are not clearly defined in the petition, the judge won't be able to help you.

Example of Legal Separation

Every petition for legal separation must include the following information:

Do You Need a Lawyer to Establish a Legal Separation?

It is entirely possible to obtain a legal separation without hiring a lawyer. Most state and/or county courts have the necessary separation petition forms available for free on their websites. You and your spouse must complete all the necessary forms and submit them to the court clerk.

Which States Allow Legal Separation?

Most states allow legal separations — the exceptions are Florida, Delaware, Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

How Much Does a Legal Separation Cost?

If both parties are in agreement, don't contest the separation, and do not hire a lawyer to create the separation petition, the cost of legal separation will only amount to the court filing fee, usually around $50 to $300 depending on the state. In New York, for example, the cost of filing a separation petition is $210. The separation becomes much more expensive if there are issues that need to be resolved through the use of a lawyer.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Legal Separation?

The length of the separation process can vary depending on the state and the complexity of the agreement, but the process typically takes around six months to a year.