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Legal separation

Nov 05

How a Legal Separation Might Save a Marriage From Ending in Divorce

Why You Should Try Legal Separation Before Divorce

No matter how or why it happens, divorce is always a painful process for everybody involved. Legal separation is often seen as one step closer down the road towards an inevitable divorce. However, there are many cases in which this not necessarily the outcome.

Legal Separations Help You Decide If Divorce Is What You Really Want

A temporary separation may be the perfect remedy for certain marriage problems. The time apart allows both parties to rekindle their feelings for one another and reconnect with why they fell in love in the first place.

Sometimes, being legally separated is a viable alternative to a full-blown divorce that gives couples a chance to test the waters. Divorces are complex, emotionally taxing, and usually quite costly. They almost always require the services of a divorce lawyer to ensure that all assets are split up fairly.

Opting for a legal separation before taking this big step may result in a change of heart that prevents a bitter and emotional legal battle, so it’s something worth trying for any couple that wants to give their relationship every opportunity to work out.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

It’s also a valuable time for self-discovery since married couples have often been together for so long that they’ve lost the sense of who they truly are inside. If a legal separation results in this kind of positive journey, it may lead the couple back together.

On the other hand, it’s not always the case that a personal journey ends with a person back in the arms of their spouse. Sometimes, the journey of personal fulfillment leads one or both parties to the discovery that they’re perfectly happy with the split.

In those cases, it’s easier to move ahead with the divorce proceedings without having to live in wonder of whether the marriage could’ve worked if you’d given it another chance. Legal separation is that chance to ask yourself if you’re sure that ending this relationship is what you really want.

Time to Heal

The old adage “Time heals all wounds” is obviously not always true. But it is the case in many legal separations that, with enough time, both parties can bounce back from whatever issues that caused the conflict in the first place.

It may take a significant amount of time for a full recovery from emotional pains caused by significant events in a relationship. No matter how long the legal separation lasts, it’s still a much easier process than going through a divorce and then later getting back together. For some couples, it’s a surprise to both parties when the relationship suddenly springs back to life after an extended time apart.

Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Legal separation doesn’t always mean being physically separated as well, but in some cases, having both may help. A bit of distance can do a lot to put things in perspective for a couple that has been together for a long time.

With physical separation in addition to the legal element, both parties are given enough space to feel like their own person again. And one of the most important things about having space between you and your partner is that you’re given the opportunity to miss them.

This sense of longing is often what helps couples remember how much they care for each other. Of course, it can also help a person realize that they truly are happier with the relationship ended, which is just as valuable a realization to have.

If you’re considering a legal separation, whether it’s an effort to save your marriage or one step closer to divorce, the Law Office of Joanne Kleiner is here for you. Through her broad range of legal experience, Joanne E. Kleiner provides reliable and knowledgeable service to her Pennsylvania clients.

Call 215-886-1266 today for help with the difficult decision of legal separation. If it is not right for you, you will still have an experienced divorce lawyer to walk you through every step of the way. We’ll explain the law in a comprehensible way and give you all the information and guidance you need to make the right decision for you and your family’s future.

May 17, 2012

Types of Divorce in Pennsylvania

Divorce law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania provides for many approaches to divorce, as follows:

• Uncontested divorce. When spouses in a divorcing couple can agree on all the issues and do not site fault grounds, they file for an uncontested divorce.

• Contested divorce. A divorce in which the spouses disagree on issues such as child custody, visitation, spousal support and property division is contested. In a contested divorce you go to court to resolve the issues. A contested divorce can be an expensive and drawn-out process, and requires the assistance of an experienced Pennsylvania divorce attorney to get through the process.

• Collaborative divorce. A collaborative divorce allows couples to resolve their differences without going to court. In a spirit of cooperation, the spouses negotiate an agreement on the issues, and both parties are represented and advised by separate collaborative attorneys. Collaborative divorce is a completely voluntary process, and if either spouse opts to go to court, the process ends and the attorneys withdraw.

• Mediated divorce. Divorce mediation is a process in which a neutral third party helps the divorcing spouses to resolve disputes on the issues and reach an agreement.

• Legal separation. Pennsylvania has no such status as legal separation. However, a divorce attorney can prepare a separation agreement for you. The separation agreement is a legally binding document that offers protections for both spouses during the separation. The agreement can include provisions on property division, support and custody, and any issues covered in a divorce decree.

You don’t have to face a divorce alone

Each family is unique and has its own special needs. An experienced divorce attorney can help you determine the best approach to divorce for your family. Contact us online or call (215) 886-1266 and schedule a consultation to discuss your divorce needs.

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