When a couple starts to question the future of their relationship, taking action can be scary. Often, people jump straight to divorce without knowing that legal separation is an option. Others simply do not know the difference between the two. Understanding your options is vital to ensuring you make an informed decision, and an experienced Illinois divorce attorney can help.
Legal Differences Between Separation and Divorce
Under a legal separation, you and your spouse can separate your lives very similar to how you would in a divorce. This typically includes dividing assets from the marriage, such as real estate, bank, and retirement accounts; working out support payments just as you would during divorce proceedings; and setting up a child custody arrangement.
The key difference between legal separation and divorce is that there is no dissolution of the marriage. You are not technically divorced and marrying someone else would not be legally possible.