Legal separation, sometimes referred to as a limited divorce, is a court-ordered arrangement where a married couple lives separately but remains legally married. It differs from absolute dissolution of marriage, as it does not terminate the marital relationship. An example is when a couple seeks distance and independence while addressing marital issues or for religious reasons that prohibit ending a marriage entirely.
This arrangement can offer practical advantages such as maintaining health insurance coverage for a spouse or allowing for continued eligibility for social security benefits based on the marital duration. Historically, it provided a formal framework for separation when societal or religious norms discouraged absolute divorce. It can also serve as a transitional step before pursuing a complete end to the marriage, allowing both parties to experience living apart and manage finances separately.
