Separation – when you’re not ready to divorce.

What is a legal separation? First and foremost a separation, by agreement or Court Order, is NOT a divorce and does not automatically become a divorce. In New York if you live apart pursuant to the terms of a Separation Agreement or decree for one year or longer it will become an additional grounds for divorce. You can’t marry someone else if you are legally separated (and not divorced).

A legal separation must be distinguished from a “trial separation” or just plain living apart. A legal separation provides structure during the period of separation.Contact divorce lawyers nassau county to determine if what is the best course of action for you.

Why separate and not divorce?

A legal separation is for couples a) that may be undecided about whether they will or will not divorce but want to have certainty regarding money, property, and parenting issues while they decide b) for couples who choose to remain legally married so that a spouse requiring medical insurance can continue to use the existing coverage c) for those who do not want to get divorced now but want to live apart and d) for couples who choose separation for religious reasons.

What do separation agreements do?

Separation Agreements both define everyone’s rights and obligations while they live separate and apart but generally provide that when there is a divorce decree , the Agreement will be “continued” into that Court Order. This means that the Separation Agreement will both continue to stand as an agreement on its own and can be enforced as a contract but it will also become a part of a court Judgment of Separation or Divorce which can be enforced in the same manner as any other Order of the Court. Separation Agreements are binding, for both parties, except that provisions involving the children, such as custody and child support, can always be changed by a court upon the demonstration of factors sufficient to allow the Court to review the issue.