Divorce or Legal Separation?

When your marriage starts to deteriorate, you may think about getting a divorce. Before you make this difficult decision, you may wish to seek a legal separation instead. There are two terms that you should be familiar with should you decide to become separated from your spouse. The first term is trial separation. This is a simple concept that means that you are separated from your spouse but are not seeking a divorce. You could be living apart or even still living together but you are legally separated from one another. It should be noted that should you decide to go through with the divorce, any assets accumulated during the separation can be considered to be joint property.

Depending on what state you reside in, living apart can have different legal ramifications. In some states, living apart is the first step in a divorce. It can affect the property division and overall outcome of your settlement. If you have questions about divorce or legal separation, consult a family law attorney who can address your concerns.