A legal separation is a process that doesn’t end a marriage/domestic partnership. Nevertheless, in many cases a couple doesn’t want to file for divorce for an array of reasons:
- Religious reasons
- Personal beliefs
- Finances
- Not meeting the requirements to file for a divorce in California.
In these cases, they can file for a legal separation. Though a legal separation enables the couple to live separate lives, the parties cannot re-marry or enter into a domestic partnership while in a legal separation. They can file for divorce later if they meet the requirements.
When a couple gets a legal separation, like with a divorce, they can ask the judge to make orders about:
- Child custody and guardianship;
- Child support;
- Alimony or spousal or partner support;
- Property division