On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Legal Separation on Sunday, April 10, 2016.
Legal separation can be a very confusing concept for many people. Some people view legal separation and divorce as interchangeable terms, both referring to a marriage that is no longer legally recognized. However, this is not entirely accurate, and the subtle differences between the two are often where people get confused. Combine these subtle differences with the fact that separation laws and requirements are different depending on the state, and it is easy to see why legal separation can present so many problems.
The key difference between legal separation and divorce is that divorced couples are no longer married in the eyes of the law, whereas a couple that has legally separated is still technically married. This is a very important distinction to make for couples that truly wish to end their marriage: legal separation is not what you are looking for. However, this does not mean that couples seeking to end their marriage cannot take advantage of legal separation, and that legal separation will not be helpful.
The benefit of a legal separation is that it allows couples to experience what divorced life might be like, without actually divorcing. A separation agreement can outline issues such as child support or alimony, as well as child custody and other such issues. This will give couples an experience that is nearly identical to actually ending their marriage, but if they decide that divorced life is not for them, they can get back together with relative ease, instead of going through the entire marriage process all over again.
If you would like help understanding how legal separation works in Missouri, or if you are considering divorce but are not quite sure, please visit our web page. We have years of experience with matters of divorce and legal separation in the state of Missouri, and we can use that to help you better understand your particular circumstances.
