21 Dec The Difference Between Legal Separation and Divorce
Being married can be more challenging than many people realize. It is not always romance, smiles, and laughs. Instead, married couples go through trials and tribulations that others may know nothing about. Life can get so stressful that some couples decide to end their relationships.
People may be surprised to find out there is more than one way to do this. Here are some of the most significant differences between legal separation and divorce that everyone should know.
A Deeper Look into Separation
The most vital difference between legal separation and divorce is that people who are separated are still married. Under a legal separation, the couple is no longer living together, but most other circumstances stay the same until both parties figure out what things will look like moving forward. Here are some things that remain the same in a legal separation:
- Financial debts and other matters. In fact, this is the main reason why people go through a separation before getting a divorce. The separation process gives them more time to untangle their finances.
- Property ownership. The couple must determine who gets what when the marriage ends.
- Health insurance. Spouses can stay on each other’s health insurance despite the fact they are separated.
A key point is that it is easier to reconcile during a separation than after a divorce is finalized. If people want to get back together during the separation process, they can simply end the proceedings. On the other hand, they will have to get remarried if their divorce is complete.
Some Facts About Divorce
When a couple gets divorced, they are officially no longer married. Divorcing means the individuals’ finances are no longer entangled, they have divided up their properties, and they are no longer each other’s next of kin. Since divorce is such a complex process, it is in both parties’ interest to try mediation to sort out their differences. Nasty court battles are time-consuming, and both people will have to compromise no matter what.
Anyone going through a divorce should know they are not alone. These individuals should rely on their support systems and hire a supportive family law lawyer right away. Jennifer LaCoste and LaCoste Family Law has one of the most compassionate legal teams and divorce attorney in Washington State. Our goal is to help each client move on with their lives as a better version of themselves.