Noun 1. a judicial decree regulating the rights and responsibilities of a married couple living apart (synonym) judicial separation (hypernym) decree, edict, fiat, order, rescript (classification) law, jurisprudence 2. (law) the cessation of cohabitation of man and wife (either by mutual agreement or under a court order) (synonym) separation (hypernym) cessation, surcease (classification) law, jurisprudence
Legal separation Definition from Encyclopedia Dictionaries & Glossaries
Legal separation (sometimes "judicial separation", "separate maintenance", "divorce a mensa et thoro", or "divorce from bed-and-board") is a legal process by which a married couple may formalize a de facto separation while remaining legally married. A legal separation is granted in the form of a court order.
a legal lawsuit for support while the spouses are living separate and apart.
TAO OF DIVORCE A - Z
Available in some states, a legal separation is similar to a divorce, except no divorce judgment is granted that ends the marriage.In response to a complaint for legal separation or separate support, the court may provide remedies relating to property (in some states) and support. Generally, a complaint for divorce or annulment is necessary before a court orders a final property division. Also called judicial separation.
Massachusetts Divorce Law Dictionary
Massachusetts courts do not grant a legal separations, but all separations are legal in the sense that people have the right to live apart without a court order. See Separate Support for rights of separated parties where neither party files a complaint for divorce.