What is the primary purpose of a legal separation?

The primary purpose of a legal separation is to establish property rights and custodial arrangements for children while preserving the marriage bond. In a legal separation, couples can make important decisions regarding the division of assets and debts, as well as arrangements for child custody and support, without fully dissolving their marital status. This can provide a framework for the duration of the separation, allowing spouses to determine their responsibilities towards one another and their children while they may be living apart.

Legal separation serves as an intermediate step that allows couples to address critical issues related to finances and parenting while still being recognized as married, which can have implications for things like health insurance and tax benefits. While legal separation may eventually lead to divorce, it does not intrinsically have that goal; rather, it focuses on the immediate and practical concerns of the couple's situation.