Legal separation provides time to evaluate while divorce permanently ends the marriage

The choice between separation and divorce depends on your unique circumstances and future goals. Separation acts as a trial period that maintains your legal marriage while living apart, whereas divorce permanently dissolves the marriage relationship.

Key considerations for each option include:

• Legal separation allows couples to:
  • Take time to reflect on the relationship
  • Maintain health insurance and tax benefits
  • Keep the door open for reconciliation
  • Test living independently before divorce
• Divorce is typically better when:
  • Both parties are certain about ending the marriage
  • One or both want to remarry
  • A clean financial break is desired
  • Reconciliation attempts have failed