Clear guidance when you need to separate your lives and finances while remaining legally married.
What legal separation does
A legal separation allows the court to address property, debts, financial support and, when relevant, arrangements for children. It does not end your marriage or registered domestic partnership, so you cannot marry or register a partnership with someone else.
Issues the court can address
Orders may address property and debt division, spousal or domestic partner support, child custody, parenting time, child support, and requests concerning attorney fees.
How it differs from divorce
For married couples, one spouse must live in California to file for legal separation, but there is no minimum residency duration. Legal separation also has no six-month waiting period. The legal status of your relationship remains different from divorce even when financial and parenting issues are resolved.
Discuss your next steps
We can discuss your priorities, the documents you have, and the questions you want to resolve before deciding how to proceed.
Consultations are paid appointments.