Legal Separation

Is Legal Separation An Option For You?

A legal separation allows a couple to divide their marital assets, and determine custody and support, without getting divorced. It addresses the same issues as divorce and will take approximately the same amount of time. One key difference between a legal separation and a divorce is that a spouse cannot remarry until there is a final divorce.

Contact the lawyers of Brown Paindiris & Scott in Connecticut if you are interested in learning more about a legal separation.

What A Legal Separation Can Do

A legal separation may be the appropriate solution for you if you are seeking to:

• Preserve health care benefits for you or your spouse
• Avoid religious conflicts associated with divorce
• Prolong a separation period until you know that you are ready for a divorce

Many couples employ this legal tool as opposed to a divorce to maintain health care benefits. If you have been married for a long period and have been dependent financially or on the health care of your spouse, a legal separation allows you to continue to receive benefits.

If you subsequently decide that you want a formal divorce, you can request the court to change your legal separation into a divorce, without the need to repeat the divorce process. As long as the court determines your legal separation agreement is still fair, no adjustments to financial arrangements will be necessary.