What is legal separation in illinois?
Legal separation in Illinois is covered in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Unlike a divorce, a legal separation does not legally end a marriage. However, a legal separation in Illinois does entail court action and is governed by Illinois law.LawsuitA request for legal separation in Illinois is a lawsuit initiated by one married partner against the other, requesting the change in legal status from “married” to “legally separated.” The lawsuit is filed by one partner at an Illinois court or in a court in the county where the spouse lives. The spouse receiving notification of the lawsuit is “served” by the appropriate court and can respond to the suit.Legal Separation vs. Physical SeparationA legal separation in Illinois is a court-issued decision granting a change in marital status. Although one requirement for a legal separation in Illinois is that a married couple live apart, which Illinois law refers to as physical separation, physical separation is not the same
