Riverside Separation

Divorce and separation in Riverside, CA more similar than you think

When considering a time out with his or her mate, a person may believe a separation is the answer. However, a Riverside legal separation is not intended as a cooling off period to sort out problems. Important permanent decisions are made during a legal separation. Julie M. Hill offers legal separation and related family law services to Riverside and Inland Empire clients.

Legal separation in Riverside

In a Riverside separation, you are essentially filing a lawsuit and asking the court to decide on all issues related to your marriage including:

Property/debt division
Child custody
Child support
Spousal support
Child visitation

Divorce and legal separation are very similar except that separation does not dissolve a marriage. However, if you ultimately decide to divorce during the separation, additional paperwork is filed to formally end your marriage.

The differences between a divorce and a Riverside legal separation

Separation must be mutually agreed to by spouses
Legal separation has no waiting period
Separation has no residency requirement
You may not remarry

If reconciliation is still a possibility in your marriage, you are better advised to consider marriage counseling or mediation services. Unlike some states, legal separation in California is not a remedy for uncertainty about divorce. The reasons to file a Riverside separation are few and may include:

Religious, moral and/or ethical issues
Insufficient residency for divorce
Social Security eligibility or eligibility for other benefits
Continued health insurance coverage needs

However, most frequently, legal separation is a temporary solution, and is filed with the intention of eventually divorcing.