• David Starks
• Marc T. Christianson
• Jennifer J. Payseno
• Susan J. Shulenberger
• Justin Sedell
• Kim Schnuelle
• Lisa Dufour
• Sharon L. Friedrich
• Laura Carlsen
• Elizabeth Bianchi
• Jessica T. Moore
• Annelisa Smith
• Jamie Walker
• Christina Smith
• Lindsay Noel
• Krista Stipe
• Lindsay Camandona
• Rita Herrera Irvin
• Sands McKinley

Talk To A Bellevue Family Law Attorney About Legal Separation

When the situation at home gets intolerable, most people think of divorce. But divorce is relatively permanent, and there are many cases where a couple may think about legal separation instead of divorce. A good Bellevue family law attorney can advise you regarding your specific case, but there are a few things to think about.

First, legal separation is a distinct cause of action brought by a Bellevue family law attorney. The only real difference between legal separation and divorce is that at the end of the former, the parties receive a decree of legal separation which sets out the terms of the parties living apart until they decide to either reconcile or divorce.

Second, your Bellevue family law attorney will draft a decree of legal separation which designates the parties' property as community or separate, and designates which party will use what property. Furthermore, your Bellevue family law attorney may ask the court to order spousal maintenance in the decree of legal separation, wherein one spouse makes a monthly payment to the other spouse to provide financial support. Moreover, if there are children of the marriage, the court will enter a child support order and parenting plan to be in effect during the separation period. Of course, the terms of these orders would be subject to Washington State family law and can be explained to you by your Bellevue family law attorney.

Finally, a decree of legal separation may be converted into a decree of dissolution upon a motion to the court (usually through a Bellevue family law attorney) six months after the decree has been in place.

Contact a Bellevue family law attorney at McKinley Irvin with your questions on filing for legal separation versus filing for divorce. Our lawyers have collectively handled thousands of Washington State divorce, legal separation, and other family law actions.