I'm thinking of filing for a legal separation, but I'm not sure if that's the best route. What are the benefits or drawbacks of a legal separation vs. just living separately on a trial basis? We live in Wisconsin if that makes a difference.
This is a legal technical question and depends on the state/county where you live.
Where I live, a legal seperation is not necessary, however, it does generate a clear and specific point in time when the monies start to seperate. For example, if one of you is prone to bad spending (and running up debt), a legal seperation clearly delineates in time when debts are joint or personal responsibility.
I live in Wisconsin and I agree that it is hard to find any legal information specifying a legal separation vs. trial vs. divorce. I moved out last July and we formally separated our accounts and paychecks and bills on our own. We are going to legally separate to make it formal. If one of us wigs out at some point, there will be laws to protect us. Advantages of LS over divorce are that he can still use my health insurance (which he needs) and we can still file for taxes married and jointly, oddly enough. Disadvantages are that neither of us can marry within the first year unless we both agree to divorce, and after a year, we need to formally file for divorce (so go thru this again and risk changing things if one of us wigs out) if either of us wants to marry again.
This is all I know. If you find out anything else, plz let me know.
This is a legal technical question and depends on the state/county where you live.
Where I live, a legal seperation is not necessary, however, it does generate a clear and specific point in time when the monies start to seperate. For example, if one of you is prone to bad spending (and running up debt), a legal seperation clearly delineates in time when debts are joint or personal responsibility.
I live in Wisconsin and I agree that it is hard to find any legal information specifying a legal separation vs. trial vs. divorce. I moved out last July and we formally separated our accounts and paychecks and bills on our own. We are going to legally separate to make it formal. If one of us wigs out at some point, there will be laws to protect us. Advantages of LS over divorce are that he can still use my health insurance (which he needs) and we can still file for taxes married and jointly, oddly enough. Disadvantages are that neither of us can marry within the first year unless we both agree to divorce, and after a year, we need to formally file for divorce (so go thru this again and risk changing things if one of us wigs out) if either of us wants to marry again.
This is all I know. If you find out anything else, plz let me know.