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Legal separation in Colorado is an alternative to divorce or annulment which allows spouses to be declared separate persons for both financial and child custody purposes while still technically remaining married. While the process of legal separation is virtually the same as a divorce, legal separation can be useful for spouses who wish to live separate and apart from each other while still being able to qualify for certain health care plans, military benefits, insurance plans, or to avoid the religious scrutiny of divorce.
If you are considering pursuing a legal separation, our Denver family lawyer at Jones Law Firm, PC can provide the knowledgeable guidance you need to ensure a smooth, clean split. With prompt, professional service and an unshakable dedication to preserving your wellbeing, we can help take the guesswork out of your separation and ensure your rights are guarded at all times.
Get in touch with us online to discuss your situation today.
Legal Separation vs. Divorce in Colorado
A legal separation is similar to a divorce in that it follows a nearly identical procedure and addresses the same issues, including property division, child custody, assigning debts, and determining spousal support. Separated spouses are declared to be independent of each other and without responsibility for the other’s support, except as ordered by the decree. Unlike a divorce, however, legally separated spouses are still technically married to one another. As such, legally separated couples cannot remarry unless they have their decree of legal separation converted to a decree of dissolution.
Advantages to legal separation include:
- Legally separated spouses often do not lose inheritance rights
- Parties may be able to maintain insurance or retirement benefits
- It can help spouses avoid the religious and moral scrutiny of divorce
- It can help spouses qualify for certain social security rules
Let Us Simplify Your Separation
Regardless of whether you should choose to pursue a divorce, legal separation, or annulment, ending a marriage can still be an incredibly emotional experience – and it is not one you should consider facing alone. At Jones Law Firm, PC, our Denver family attorney understands the struggles you must be experiencing and can provide the steadfast support you need. From filing the necessary paperwork to petitioning with the court to convert your decree of separation to a decree of dissolution, we can carry the legal burden on your behalf.
Schedule a case review today to get started.