Relationships can be complicated sometimes, and it isn’t easy to make decisions. There could be a million reasons why people want to stay together or live apart. That’s why the courts give residents of the US numerous options around divorce, and legal separation is one of them.
Legal separation gives couples an alternative to divorce, where they can keep the benefits of a marriage, like healthcare, and continue living together but are legally considered separated. You should hire a good lawyer to see if living together after a legal separation is an option that’s available to you.
Not all states in the US recognize legal separation. Some only provide divorces, while others offer alternatives to legal separation. There are options under legal separation that a couple can choose, including trial separation and permanent separation. Trial separation means the divorce is not official yet and the couple is considering their decision, while permanent separation means the process is final and the couple plans on divorcing.
If a couple decides that they want to stay married, they can cancel the separation order. They just have to apply for a cancellation in court. However, it’s important to remember that separations can be as expensive as an actual divorce and just as time-consuming if the couple does not agree on details like child custody and property division.
In some states, those who are legally separated can be prohibited from dating or having other relationships, as this can affect the divorce proceedings. The law may dictate that people in other relationships forgo their right to inherit any property from their spouse or receive benefits like health insurance in such situations.
Coming to a decision to separate can be hard enough, but the process that follows can be even more taxing. Some people can’t afford to rent another house or may not have anywhere else to live while the divorce proceedings are ongoing. Such couples may decide to live together after being legally separated purely for financial reasons.
Another reason people choose to be legally separated is because of their faith. Some religions prohibit couples from divorcing but allow separation. In order to keep to their faith, people may choose this path, which offers an alternative to divorce.
Living together after a separation is not going to be easy, so you shouldn’t take this lightly. If you’ve thought about it and decided that it’s the best course of action for you to take, here are a few tips on how to navigate this sticky situation:
What’s the status of the relationship?
The first thing you should do is decide on what the relationship means. Is this a temporary living situation? Do you have plans to move out? Or do you intend to live together long-term? Knowing where you stand helps you decide on how to proceed and avoids confusion.
Decide on the responsibilities
Next, considering that you’re going to be living together, it’s prudent to decide who does what around the house. Are you going to continue splitting costs and sharing chores? Or do you take care of your own meals and finances? These are things that the best couples have arguments about, and for people considering separation, it’s a topic that must be discussed.
Who’s going to take care of the kids?
If you have children, you will have to decide how to talk to them about the changes in your relationship and, more importantly, how you’re going to take care of them. Are you going to carry on like before? Or do you share your time with them? These are particulars you should discuss in order for the separation to go smoothly.
