You have tried everything you can to repair the cracks in your marriage and fully enjoy your life in California with your spouse. Unfortunately, it seems as if divorce may be the only path to satisfaction. Despite that, you still feel this option is really not the best for your situation.

Marriage.com explores the advantages and disadvantages of a legal separation. Do some digging to better determine whether this choice is best for you and your spouse.

The advantages of legal separation 

It could be that the religion you and your spouse share frowns on divorce. Or perhaps your personal ethics forbid you from divorcing. Either way, separation could provide you with an ideal middle ground. Another advantage of legal separation is that it gives the two of you time to figure out if being apart and on your own for a while is the best way to repair your marriage. Maybe you or your spouse are fine with the other continuing to use health insurance coverage, tax benefits of Social Security benefits.

The disadvantages of separation 

One downside of separation is that there is no guarantee an insurance company can continue covering both individuals after the finalization of the separation. Also, should you find yourself in another relationship while separated, you cannot marry again until you move from separation to formal divorce from your spouse. Finally, you need to be careful when it comes to joint accounts and debts, such as car payments, as you bear liability for your spouse’s financial flops and misdeeds.

This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.