Legal Separation - The First Step to Divorce Or an Alternative to It?
A Family Law Attorney From Southern California Explains what a "Legal Separation" Is:
Legal Separations:
Legal separations do not always lead to a divorce, but are considered the car charity step towards one. A legal separation is a way to figure out how the individual lives will go on instead of the intertwined lives of a couple. It can be considered a "test drive" to a divorce, and it can also be a way to separate the two parties to give each other a little time to let "cooler heads" prevail. Often time couple rush to a divorce after an argument, only to realize later that if they would have separated for a short period of time, they may well have reconciled, and not gone through with a divorce.
Pitfalls
Legal separation does not put an end to a marriage! Rather, legal separation is used to outline each party's responsibilities and rights as individuals rather than a couple. Legal separations are designed to protect each individual's assets while making the decision to either divorce or reconcile. Usually, court orders are in place to mandate such things as payment on communal properties and child custody issues.
Benefits
While still married but legally separated, couples can still share medical benefits, social security benefits, military benefits and offers time for a cooling off period. Also, legal separations can be handy if religious beliefs are not shared. The couple can legally separate but still remain married to observe religious beliefs. Legal separations are also very easy to convert into divorce settlements in the case that a reconciliation cannot be reached. Until the divorce paperwork is filed with the court, the couple is still married even with a legal separation.
Family legal matters can be extremely emotional, frustrating and costly. Because of this, it is important that you get the right information BEFORE you take action regarding a divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, or any other important legal matter.
Get the information you need to make an intelligent, informed decision regarding your and/or your children's lives. href="TemeculaDivorce.com">TemeculaDivorce.com has a wealth of information available to you to help you properly navigate the legal system in Temecula, Murrieta, Hemet, Riverside, and the entire Inland Empire. If you need to speak with an attorney, we have professional, compassionate attorneys to assist you. For a free consultation, please go to href="TemeculaDivorce.com">TemeculaDivorce.com
