What is the definition of a legal separation?
A legal separation is a court order or, sometimes, just a legally filed written agreement that allows a couple that may become divorced to live separately while still acknowledging that the couple may reconcile.DifferencesUnlike a divorce, a legal separation is fairly flexible and its terms may be changed at any given time during the period of separation.FeaturesA legal separation delineates any financial support to be provided by one spouse to another and any visitation or custody arrangements if there are children.RestrictionsNeither party can remarry while legally separated. In order to do so, a divorce must be filed for and the divorce must be final before any new marriage licenses are issued.Acquiring PropertyAny property acquired by either party once a legal separation is filed is no longer considered community property. Property acquired prior to the separation is still community property and would be divided during divorce proceedings if they take place.FunctionLegally separate
