Legal Separation
Legal Separation
Legal separation is a court-recognized status that allows a married couple to live apart while remaining legally married. In Washington State, legal separation is an option for couples who no longer want to live together but may not be ready or willing to divorce for personal, religious, or financial reasons.
During legal separation, the court can issue orders regarding property division, child custody, child support, and spousal support, just like in a divorce. However, since the couple is still legally married, they cannot remarry unless they later convert the separation into a divorce.
Some couples choose legal separation to maintain healthcare benefits, tax advantages, or other financial arrangements that would end with divorce.
If a couple decides to proceed with divorce, they can request that the legal separation be converted after six months. Because legal separation involves many legal and financial considerations, consulting a Seattle Family Lawyer is usually beneficial.
