How does legal separation differ from divorce?

Legal separation allows spouses to live apart while still remaining legally married, which is the fundamental distinction from divorce. In a legal separation, the couple can establish separate living arrangements and may outline terms for child custody, support, and division of assets without formally terminating their marital status. This arrangement may serve various purposes, such as allowing time for reconciliation, maintaining certain legal benefits associated with marriage (like health insurance), or addressing practical considerations that might arise from living apart.

The other options present misunderstandings about the nature of legal separation and divorce. For example, asset division typically occurs in both divorce and legal separation proceedings, making the first choice inaccurate. Additionally, divorce is not a temporary status; once finalized, it permanently ends the marriage. Lastly, divorce does not solely affect children; rather, it impacts the entire family unit, including marital property, finances, and spousal support, while legal separation has similar implications for both spouses and children. Thus, the concept of legal separation as a means for spouses to live apart without dissolving their marriage accurately captures the distinction between these two legal statuses.