{"id":3449,"date":"2021-09-08T09:00:22","date_gmt":"2021-09-08T16:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/?p=3449"},"modified":"2023-09-21T01:59:40","modified_gmt":"2023-09-21T08:59:40","slug":"how-long-is-a-legal-separation-good-for","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/how-long-is-a-legal-separation-good-for\/","title":{"rendered":"How Long is a Legal Separation Good For?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Separation_Timeframe\"><\/span><strong>Legal Separation Timeframe<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6631659bbb729\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6631659bbb729\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/how-long-is-a-legal-separation-good-for\/#Legal_Separation_Timeframe\" title=\"Legal Separation Timeframe\">Legal Separation Timeframe<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/how-long-is-a-legal-separation-good-for\/#What_is_a_Legal_Separation\" title=\"What is a Legal Separation?\">What is a Legal Separation?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/how-long-is-a-legal-separation-good-for\/#When_Is_It_Ideal_to_File_a_Legal_Separation_Case\" title=\"When Is It Ideal to File a Legal Separation Case?\">When Is It Ideal to File a Legal Separation Case?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/how-long-is-a-legal-separation-good-for\/#How_Long_Does_a_Legal_Separation_Last\" title=\"How Long Does a Legal Separation Last?\">How Long Does a Legal Separation Last?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/how-long-is-a-legal-separation-good-for\/#Seeking_Legal_Help_from_Santa_Rosa_Legal_Separation_Attorneys\" title=\"Seeking Legal Help from Santa Rosa Legal Separation Attorneys\">Seeking Legal Help from Santa Rosa Legal Separation Attorneys<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-is-legal-separation.webp\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-3451\" title=\"What is legal separation\" src=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-is-legal-separation.webp\" alt=\"What is legal separation\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-is-legal-separation.webp 1024w, https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-is-legal-separation-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/What-is-legal-separation-768x512.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is more to family law practice beyond a contested or uncontested divorce case. For some married couples, the best way for the family court system to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/legal-separation\/\"><b>protect their legal rights<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to file for legal separation. Through this legal process, couples have time to resolve personal and financial issues while <\/span><b>staying married<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to each other. It is important to note that spouses remain married during this period of being legally separated, which means neither can remarry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many people are confused about what the term <\/span><b>dissolution of marriage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> means. A local attorney experienced with divorce and family law cases can give legal advice on the best path to take. Consult with credible <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Santa Rosa family law lawyers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who can explain the pros and cons of legal separation agreements and filing divorce cases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_Legal_Separation\"><\/span><strong>What is a Legal Separation?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This term refers to a legal action filed by a married person (or domestic partner) who wishes to stay married (or in the domestic partnership) and hopes to resolve other legal issues. While this may sound simple, the required forms and paperwork can be pretty confusing. Additionally, reliable legal representation is necessary for child support guidelines, <a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/family-law\/child-custody\/\">child custody laws<\/a>, and relevant state law on <a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/family-law\/alimony\/\">spousal support (alimony)<\/a> to be strictly followed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike those going through a divorce, filers <\/span><b>live separately from one another without changing their marital status.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/leginfo.legislature.ca.gov\/faces\/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=FAM&amp;sectionNum=2310.#:~:text=Dissolution%20of%20the%20marriage%20or,legal%20incapacity%20to%20make%20decisions.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a7 2310 of the California Family Code<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, one can pursue a legal separation based on either irreconcilable differences or incurable insanity. Since no two couples have the exact needs and goals, there are various ways to obtain a fair and equitable outcome from your filing, be it through courtroom litigation or negotiation and settlement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Is_It_Ideal_to_File_a_Legal_Separation_Case\"><\/span><strong>When Is It Ideal to File a Legal Separation Case?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A legal separation can be described as a court order that mandates the rights and duties of couples still legally married but living apart. It is often applicable for couples who are <\/span><b>not ready to terminate their marriage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> but want to be considered separate, particularly for legal and tax liability purposes. When you and your spouse decide to legally separate, you can use a separation agreement to work on the division of property (marital property division) and assets, <a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/bankruptcy\/\">debts, and other financial liabilities<\/a>. Unlike in divorces, however, filing for legal separation will not terminate any life or health insurance, which will likely be in your best interests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Technically speaking, a legal separation does not end a marriage. It is possible, however, that couples can convert a legal separation into a divorce petition. Some spouses may choose this option when they are unsure of completely severing the marriage since it is not a legal action with as much finality as a divorce filing. However, if a marriage has not been dissolved through divorce, <\/span><b>neither of the spouses involved can remarry<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or enter into a domestic partnership.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Long_Does_a_Legal_Separation_Last\"><\/span><strong>How Long Does a Legal Separation Last?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is estimated that the majority of married couples who legally separate get divorced within three years.\u00a0 On the other hand, approximately 15% is legally separated indefinitely, for ten years or even more. Some experts argue that a long, indefinite period of legal separation may lead to a communication gap and a build-up of mistrust and resentment on the other party. However, this period of time can give both parties time to cool off, proceed with reasonable decision-making, and recover from past experiences that led to the marriage breakdown.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As previously mentioned, a legal separation is reversible but can also be a prelude to a <a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/divorce\/\">divorce<\/a>. If the spouses decide to get divorced eventually, the court may convert the separation judgment <\/span><b>after six months<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Whether you are looking at marriage restoration or the possibility of getting divorced, a maximum of <\/span><b>one year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is recommended as a healthy separation. A Santa Rosa family law attorney can explain these further.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Seeking_Legal_Help_from_Santa_Rosa_Legal_Separation_Attorneys\"><\/span><strong>Seeking Legal Help from Santa Rosa Legal Separation Attorneys<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two of the most common reasons a couple would file for a legal separation rather than proceeding with a divorce are religious principles and failure to meet specific requirements under the divorce law.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/family-law\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">California family law<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> requires at least one person in a marriage to have been a resident of the state for a minimum of six months and a resident in the County where they file a legal action for a minimum of three months. Some couples who do not meet <\/span><b>residency requirements<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may choose to initiate a legal separation since no residency requirement is involved.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"\/benefits-of-legal-separation\/\">Legal separations emerge as a better choice<\/a> for those who feel that divorces can gravely affect personal and financial aspects of life. In general, you may remain legally separated from your spouse for as long as the two of you desire. How long you can be legally separated is your judgment call.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are considering a legal separation, contact a trusted <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/contact\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Santa Rosa family law firm<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who can assist you and help you find the most appropriate course of action to take. Call us at Embolden Law PC and consult with our hands-on Santa Rosa family law attorneys. We will work personally with you, discuss your current situation, and guide you as you decide on these matters.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Legal Separation Timeframe There is more to family law practice beyond a contested or uncontested divorce case. For some married couples, the best way for the family court system to protect their legal rights is to file for legal separation. Through this legal process, couples have time to resolve personal and financial issues while staying [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3451,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3449"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3449"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3449\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3641,"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3449\/revisions\/3641"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3451"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3449"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3449"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/provencherandflatt.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3449"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}