How do I legally separate from my husband?

The process to file for legal separation in California is nearly the same as that used for a divorce/dissolution. A spouse must file a petition, pay the filing fee, serve the petition on the other spouse, and file financial disclosures with the court.

To get a legal separation you must file a petition in your Superior or Family Division Court. It is a distinct legal product rather than being a first step to getting a divorce. In fact, legal separation takes as long as a divorce (average time, 8-10 months), and costs just as much.

Can a legal separation be converted into a divorce?

If the couple decides to get a divorce after they initially had a legal separation, one or both spouses can ask the family court to convert the separation agreement into the divorce order. However, the spouses also usually have the right to revise or retract any agreements made during the legal separation agreement.

Can a court order a legal separation from a spouse?

As stated above, some states only grant legal separations if the spouses are able to reach a legal separation agreement. If the spouses can’t reach an agreement, the court may not have the authority to order a legal separation.

What should you know about separation before divorce?

Separation as a preface or foreword to divorce has emotional and legal implications that you need to understand. Decisions made solely during separation often become stamped in stone, and anyone engaging in separation without the appropriate strategies, plans, safety tactics, and protections can suffer the consequences for years.

How does a court process for divorce work?

To let a couple become divorced or legally separated, the court must approve and sign a judgment. The process of obtaining a judgment will depend on whether the respondent files a response and whether the spouses or domestic partners can reach an agreement about the terms of the divorce or legal separation.