Under state law, Junction City spouses may opt for a process known as legal separation instead of ending a marriage through divorce. This process is also commonly referred to as separate maintenance.
While separation is a tool used by some couples to weigh their options in a marriage, it is also frequently used as a precursor for a divorce. In either situation, an experienced marital agreements attorney could help you meet your goals. You could learn more about your options during a consultation with a Junction City separation agreements lawyer.
Married couples that are considering an end to their relationship have two options under state law. The first is a traditional divorce, which terminates the marriage permanently. The alternative is legal separation. Legal separation has many of the same elements of a divorce, with the important distinction that it does not formally terminate the marriage.
Once a divorce concludes, the marriage is over forever. Even if the couple wanted to undo the divorce, their only option would be to marry again. Marital dissolution allows parties to return to their maiden or former names and severs the legal relationship created when two people get married. A divorce decree will also set out details regarding financial arrangements between the former spouses and decide child custody issues.
Legal separation does not formally end a marriage, nor does it allow a person to return to their maiden name. However, there are some important similarities between separation and divorce. A separation agreement could set out monthly alimony payments or determine how assets or debts are divided. An attorney in Junction City could advise on how a separation contract might make sense instead of a traditional divorce.
Every couple has its reasons for considering legal separation. For some, separation is an opportunity to work on and repair a relationship. For others, it is a step towards an inevitable divorce. In either situation, a Junction City attorney could assist with developing a separation contract.
Some spouses select separation for religious purposes. Certain religions do not allow divorce. To avoid facing conflict at church, many spouses remain married but live apart thanks to legal separation.
Other spouses may seek separation out of practicality. External factors could make a divorce problematic, even for couples whose relationships have otherwise come to an end. For example, some couples opt to stay married for the purposes of health insurance coverage given the increased costs they might share if they chose divorce.
Separation is also a potential tool for beginning the divorce process. By first legally separating, a couple could address some initial issues like spousal maintenance before starting the divorce process.
Finally, some parents find the potential of separation more palatable for minor children. Divorce can be traumatic, and separation could provide a sense of normalcy within the family.
If you are considering legal separation, there are many reasons why it might be in your best interest. From protecting your children to ensuring you retain insurance coverage from your spouse’s employer, separation could make sense for your family.
Before pursuing legal separation, ensure that you understand your options. Contact a Junction City separation agreements lawyer to learn more. We are happy to explain separation contracts in more detail and could work with you to draft a contract that works for your family.
