Separation Lawyers in Seattle

Situations may exist where the parties wish to live separately, but do not wish to end their marriage. In a legal separation, the marriage remains legally intact, whereas in a divorce, the marriage is terminated. The issues addressed by the court in a legal separation are the same matters dealt with in a divorce or dissolution, including, but not limited to designation of a residential parent, parental rights, child support, spousal support, division of property, payment of debts, restraints, etc. The order of legal separation may later become the basis of a final divorce, but the marriage will remain legally intact unless one of the parties takes some further action to convert the legal separation into a divorce.

Too often parties have reported being unaware of the significance of the final documents in a legal separation. These parties are under the misunderstanding that because he/she is still married there will be another “bite at the apple” should the case proceed to a divorce. That is not true. Although your marriage remains in tact after the legal separation process, it is critical that the outcome of the marital issues in your separation meets your objectives. If not, you may be stuck with that outcome. The attorneys at Cassady Family Law Group, L.L.P. take the necessary steps to ensure that your rights are always being protected.