Sometimes a married couple will experience serious issues in their relationship, but are not ready to file for a divorce. There are often various reasons for not wanting to divorce which may include religious or cultural beliefs, financial circumstances, or just a reluctance to end the marriage and move on. In lieu of divorce, some couples may decide to legally separate, leaving the door open to future reconciliation or moving forward with a divorce later on.
A legal separation agreement may include:
- A parenting plan to include how parenting time and parenting responsibility will be allocated during the separation
- Spousal or child support orders to support a lesser earning spouse and children from the marriage during the separation
- Division of property establishing a separation date where assets obtained or debt accrued is not considered marital property and addressing how marital property will be handled during the period of separation such as who will reside in the home, how bills will be paid, and other relevant factors
A couple may decide to reconcile and end a legal separation, or in the event they decide to divorce, the legal separation terms may be presented as a divorce settlement to make the divorce process easier.
When you have questions regarding legal separation in Illinois, contact the law offices of Ronald L Bell & Associates for assistance at 847-495-6000.