What is a legal separation in the District of Columbia?
District of Columbia law allows a couple to seek a court recognized separation, called a legal separation. A legal separation is usually sought by a couple when there are not yet grounds for a divorce, but the couple wants the Court to decide certain issues such as child custody, child support, and property issues. There are four grounds for a legal separation: a voluntary separation, separation for a year, adultery, and cruelty.
