Whats the difference between a legal separation and a divorce or dissolution?
In a legal separation, the marriage remains legally intact, whereas in a divorce or dissolution, the marriage is ended. Nevertheless, the issues addressed by the court in a final order or agreement of legal separation are the same matters dealt with in a divorce or dissolution. They include designation of a residential parent and legal custodian, parenting rights, child support, spousal support, division of property, and payment of debts. The agreement or order of legal separation may later become the basis of a final divorce or dissolution, but the marriage will remain legally intact unless one of the parties takes some further action to terminate the marriage. The rights and obligations of the parties are governed by the agreement or order, which is enforceable through the court. 10/9/2009 Law You Can Use is a weekly consumer legal information column provided by the Ohio State Bar Association. This article was prepared by Stanley Morganstern, an attorney associated with the Cleveland
