On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Legal Separation on Tuesday, January 20, 2015.
The decision to divorce your partner no matter how long you have been together is a difficult one. If children are involved it can be an even more difficult decision. For some couples a legal separation may be the better option. Where divorce ends a marriage a legal separations does not.
In a legal separation a court order set out the rights and responsibilities of both parties while living apart. Legal separations can make provisions for child and spousal support. Also included can be property division and visitation of children involved. It can be helpful to have a legal separation in place while working through a divorce. Often legal separations set the terms for the final divorce.
In some states such as Missouri couples are required to live apart for a 30-day period after filing for a divorce. Although no legal separation agreement is required couples may enter into a legal separation agreement. But if a legal separation agreement is entered into it is important that they taken serious as they are often address the same issues as divorce.
In deciding if a legal separation is right for you it is important that you speak with an attorney knowledgeable of separation agreements. If you should decide to continue on with a divorce your separation agreement can impact how it will look. During the time of your separation your rights were protected. If you should decide not to divorce you are still legally married. Legal separations are not common but they can help while couples work out personal or financial problems.
