What is the difference between divorce (dissolution of marriage) and legal separation?
Divorce and legal separation are nearly identical processes through the court: division of assets and debts, maintenance if any, and of course a parenting plan and child support if there are minor children. The final paper, signed by the court, is a decree that declares you legally separated, or your marriage dissolved (ended). With a divorce decree, you immediately become separate taxpayers, your marriage is ended, and you are free to remarry. With a decree of legal separation, you immediately become separate taxpayers, but not free to remarry.
