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Legal Separation

Legal Separation is Essentially the Same as a Divorce with One Major Difference - You are still Married.

Unlike a divorce, a legal separation does not end a marriage or domestic partnership. In a legal separation, neither party can marry nor enter a partnership with someone else.


Some reasons that a couple may decide on a separation include:

  • Not wanting a divorce but want to live apart and get orders from the court concerning money, property, or parenting matters.

  • Religious beliefs do not allow for a divorce.

  • Personal beliefs

  • Not yet meeting the legal requirements of residency for a divorce in California, 

  • Various financial considerations.

 

Like a divorce, when you get a legal separation, you can ask the judge to make orders about child custody and parenting time, child support, spousal/partner support, property division, and determining responsibility for debts.

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Getting a divorce or a legal separation is essentially the same process. However, there are slight differences in the requirements for obtaining a legal separation and your marital status once the legal separation is complete.

  • One spouse must live in California, but there is no requirement for how long one must live in the state or county.

  • There is no 6 month waiting period.

  • When the process is complete, you are still legally married. As a result, either spouse is forbidden from entering into another marriage or domestic partnership.

At Law Office James Chau, we are here to help you navigate the legal separation process.

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The Law Office of James Chau, P.C., represents clients in San Jose, California, and all surrounding areas.

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For more information and to schedule a personal consultation with the Law Offices of James Chau, P.C., please contact us online or call our San Jose, California office at (408) 899-8364.

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