Legal separation allows couples to live separately, but remain legally married. This can be useful for sharing assets or insurance while living separate lives. The process is the same as a divorce, from paperwork to waiting periods (60 days for no minor unmarried children, 90 days if there are minor unmarried children), and a court may even participate in determining fair terms if both spouses cannot agree on the terms of the legal separation.

A legal separation agreement can be created and signed to allow couples to decide what happens to assets, children, etc. during the period of legal separation. This is legally binding, and can be enforced through the court if a spouse violates the agreement. Each member of the couple can then live as if they were single in most ways. Legally separated couples cannot remarry, however, unless they complete a divorce first.

Divorce ends a marriage legally in the eyes of the state of Tennessee; all issues related to the marriage such as assets, child custody, alimony, etc will have been settled in the divorce process, and each former spouse can then remarry if they so choose.

Yes, you can maintain all coverages and tax benefits that would be available to a legally married couple when legally separated.

Yes, to both. You and your spouse, if you reconcile, can ask the court to terminate your legal separation. You can also choose to start the divorce process at any time after legal separation, and after two years of legal separation either spouse can ask the court to convert the legal separation to a no-fault divorce.

You can date, but may not remarry, during a legal separation.