Considering Legal Separation

Have you recently decided to separate from your spouse? If so, you may want to consider obtaining a legal separation to protect yourself in the future. A legal separation is a legal document that is signed and approved by both parties. It must be reviewed by a family law judge before the legal separation is considered to be official. This document can outline many of the same topics covered in a divorce - such as alimony, child support, child custody and property division - without actually filing for a divorce.

If money is granted during a legal separation, it is often referred to as "separate maintenance." This can be obtained in some states by filing a motion "pending the litigation." It is important to understand that any money granted during a legal separation will not necessarily be extended to your divorce proceedings as well. However, it may help determine how much you should ask for in your divorce settlement. If you would like legal representation throughout your legal separation or divorce, take the time to enlist the services of a family lawyer in your city as soon as possible.