subject: Legal Separartion [print this page] Every couple have their issues, and divorce is not the only solution for all their problems; one can make use of legal separation, which is an alterantive to divorce. It helps those couple who want to sort out their difference by giving each other space and time to try and save their marriage. Legal separation is sometimes referred to asjudicial separation.
Legal separation means that the couple lives separately, after filing a petition in the court to legally recognize their separation. The judicial systems grant legal separation through a court order which can be in the form of a consent decree, which is legally binding on both the spouses. It also helps in deciding upon an interim financial arrangement wherein various issues are clarified; such as who pays for the bills, who owns which property and whether one of them needs to pay financial support for the other spouse. In case the couple have children, the court order may also incorporate arrangements regarding the custody and financial support of the children. These monetary arrangements are temporary for financially supporting the spouse and children, which is referred to as separate maintenance.
A legal seperation does not mean dissolution of marriage. In case the couple is able to solve their differences during the separartion period, they can happily continue their marriage; However even after trying hard to resolve issues, if the couple does not reconcile then they can file a petition for divorce in the court of law.
For more information on child support or child contact, or any other legal issue,
