On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Legal Separation on Friday, May 16, 2014.
It’s never easy to end a marriage, but couples should not be afraid to admit that a relationship isn’t working out. People change, and unforeseen circumstances can affect what was once a happy romance in any number of ways. Of course just because a marriage hits a bump in the road doesn’t necessarily mean that an end is imminent. If you are experiencing troubles in your marriage, but don’t want to believe that all hope or reconciliation is lost, a legal separation might be just what you need.
Most residents of Missouri have likely heard that Sherri Shepherd, one of the co-hosts of “The View,” currently faces a legal separation filing from her husband, Lamar Sally. The filing took place early in May, so details about the relationship are scarce, but it is confirmed that the couple have no children together. They have been married for less than three years.
Reasons for legal separation vary from relationship to relationship, and also from state to state. Missouri has no separation requirement that couples must meet before they file for divorce, but they must live apart for 30 days after filing for divorce. However, the language is rather complex, as couples can still be “living apart” even if they continue to live under the same roof. The most important factor is that they cannot sleep together during this 30 day period.
Couples who file for legal separation in St. Louis may also enter into separation agreements, which are similar to divorce settlements in nature. They cover topics such as property division and child support. If a couple decides to get divorced, the separation agreement can have a large impact on the divorce proceedings, so one cannot take separation agreements lightly. Legal separation may not sound as severe as divorce, but it is every bit as serious.
Source: TMZ.com, “Sherri Shepherd HUSBAND FILES FOR LEGAL SEPARATION,” May 9, 2014
