{"id":351770,"date":"2026-02-19T13:14:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T18:14:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/divorce\/legal-separation-vs-divorce.html"},"modified":"2026-02-19T13:14:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T18:14:00","slug":"legal-separation-vs-divorce","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/legal-separation-vs-divorce.html","title":{"rendered":"Legal Separation vs. Divorce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Legal Separation vs. Divorce<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Aisha Success, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Nicole Prebeck, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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A legal separation is one option for couples who are not ready to divorce. It is not a legal end of a marriage, but rather a tool to establish some structure in a legal separation. Couples wishing to permanently separate must file for a divorce.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Legal separation (permanent separation<\/a>) is also suitable for couples whose religious beliefs don’t allow divorce. Couples may also want a permanent separation for the tax benefits or insurance benefits of staying married. A couple who wants to stay married for religious reasons or to try to reconcile can use a\u00a0separation agreement<\/a>\u00a0to establish rules for:<\/p>\n