Steven Carlson is the founder of Child Custody Coach. He is known nationally as The Custody Coach and provides individualized help and one-on-one coaching services to parents in the field of child custody and visitation issues, divorce, child custody evaluations, parenting, and attorney fee disputes. He is the author of the child custody E-Book strategy guide, "How to Win Child Custody - Proven Strategies that can Win You Custody and Save You Thousands in Attorney Cost!". He provides support for Custody Match, a Southern California consumer and family law attorney matching service.
In the United States, there are statistics that indicate that half of all marriages will end up in a divorce or legal separation. Often people do not differentiate between divorce and legal separation. Both divorce and legal separation refer to the situation when a couple decides not to live together anymore. But being separated is much different than being divorced.
What does legal separation mean? Legal separation generally refers to a court order which acknowledges that a couple is no longer living together and that all the issues regarding the marriage have been resolved. A legal separation generally means that both parties reached an agreement concerning child custody, child visitation, child support, spousal support or alimony, distribution of property, attorney fees, and personal conduct. However, in a legal separation both parties remain married to each other. Indeed spouses who are just legally separated are not allowed to marry another person.
Divorce, also known as a decree of dissolution of marriage, is also a court order but it is for the purpose to dissolve or terminate a marriage. Both parties are allowed to marry another person following a divorce since they have returned to an unmarried status. An annulment differs from a divorce on the ground that this process is meant at simply canceling a marriage.
What are the benefits of a legal separation? Legal separation often takes place when both parties prefer to stay married for religious reasons. That’s why legal separation is often coined catholic legal separation since it preserves the religious marriage. Legal separation is not only pursued for religious reasons, but also for tax reasons. Unlike a divorce, the non-custodial parent may be able to deduct from his/her income taxes spousal support payments. Some also prefer not to wait for the state statutory waiting period for termination of marital status. That’s one of the reasons why a legal separation is often pursued to set the parameters for dealing with one another while living separate and apart while keeping the married status, and leaving an opportunity for a reunion or resumption of marriage. However being legally separated is not a requirement before filing a divorce. In other words, a legal separation is not a prerequisite of the dissolution of a marriage or divorce.
If you are considering a legal separation, divorce, or dissolution of marriage you would be wise to consult an attorney who can inform you legally about your particular divorce or legal separation matter.
© 2007 Child Custody Coach
Child Custody Coach supplies information, online materials, and coaching services to parents in the field of child custody, namely, divorce, child custody and visitation, child custody evaluations, 730 evaluations, parenting, and all issues related to child custody and divorce. "How to Win Child Custody - Proven Strategies that can Win You Custody and Save You Thousands in Attorney Cost!" is a unique child custody strategy guide written by The Custody Coach and made available by Child Custody Coach in an easy to read, understand, and apply E-Book format. Custody Match is an online consumer and family law attorney matching service to help you in your search for the right attorney for your divorce or child custody case. Custody Match can help you find the right family law attorney, divorce lawyer, or child custody attorney in your area.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Marriage Family Counseling Can Save Marriages
- Role of Marriage Family Counseling in Saving Marriages
- Has Marriage Family Counseling Let You Down?
- Marriage Family Counseling Isn’t The Answer
- Seek Marriage Family Counseling Before You Decide on a Divorce
- Marriage, Families and Separation: Deciding What Is Right for Your Marriage
- Anxiety, Depression, Marriage, Family Problems? Get the Best Counselor for You-From Barrington
- Marriage & Family Communication - 10 Effective Ways to Improve It




Save Marriage Before It Is Too Late – Notice The Sign of Trouble That May Lead To The Break Up
By: Natalie J. Jones | 10/11/2009It need not take your time till you actually get the divorce papers in your hand, to realize that your marriage is in trouble. There are always various subtle and not so subtle signs that tell you that your marriage is on the rocks. The sooner you read these signs and act upon them, the better it will be to save marriage. Let us look at some of these signs here.
Public Divorce Records Through Online Divorce Records
By: Ben Dave | 10/11/2009Through mail, telephone, fax, or walk-in, you will be able to perform a Divorce Records Search. It can also be downloaded online since this is now the latest in the society.
How To Stop My Divorce Right Now
By: Makoo L. | 10/11/2009You and your partner got into an argument or fight and you said “that’s it I want a divorce!” After a short time you realize that is not want you want, unfortunately you let your emotions get the best of you and burst out in anger. Now you want to know “how to stop my divorce.”
Fighting a False Restraining Order - How To Safely Maneuver This Legal Minefield
By: Drew P. Spaeth | 10/11/2009Unfortunately, as divorce has become a cottage industry, the filing of a false restraining order has become more & more common as a child custody & alimony tactic. If you are on the receiving end of a false restraining order, you have a minefield of obstacles to maneuver in order to clear your name & get back the custody of your kids. Any 1 mistake can land you in jail. Make sure you are well informed so avoid you can avoid the traps.
How to Beat a Restraining Order That Was Falsely Filed-Do Not Make This Fatal Mistake!
By: Drew P. Spaeth | 10/11/2009In today's political climate, divorce has become a cottage industry & one result has been a huge increase in the filing of false restraining orders in divorce cases. Most often, this affects the man in the divorce. If you are in this situation, you must learn how to beat a restraining order if you are to have any future contact with your children & save your reputation.
How to stop a divorce and save your relationship
By: Martin Rose | 09/11/2009This article discusses a common sense approach to stopping a divorce and trying to save your relationship. There are no sure proof methods but hopefully you and your partner want to work it out.
How To Stop A Divorce - 7 Divorce Busting Tips You Need To Know
By: JD Dean | 09/11/2009Knowing how to stop a divorce requires some co-operation on the part of both people involved in the relationship.
Stop Your Divorce - 6 Step System To Saving Your Marriage
By: JD Dean | 09/11/2009Unless abuse or a loveless marriage are affecting your relationship situation and divorce is high on the agenda, know that it's still not too late to stop your divorce.
Child Custody: Child Custody Orders and Judicial Authority
By: Steven Carlson | 06/02/2007 | DivorceFor many divorced and separated parents with children there will be a common answer as to why they ended up with the child custody and visitation arrangement they have. The answer being, "the judge decided it." In other words, the judge chose the parenting arrangement you have based on his/her belief of what was in your child’s best interest.
California Child Custody - Who Gets Custody?
By: Steven Carlson | 06/02/2007 | DivorceLike most states, the standard for child custody determinations in California is the overall best interest of the child with an emphasis on assuring the "health, safety, and welfare" of the child and "frequent and continuing contact" with both parents absent child abuse, domestic violence, or where the contact would not be in the best interest of the child.
Child Custody – Joint Custody and the Best Interest of the Child Standard
By: Steven Carlson | 06/02/2007 | Divorce“In the best interest of the child” or “child’s best interest” is the famous mantra of the family court, which is prevalent in child custody proceedings today, yet its interpretation by the family court or judges is often arbitrary and its meaning is still obscure. Moreover, the law regarding child custody varies from state to state leaving no uniform legal position regarding what is in the best interest of the child.
Ventura Divorce Attorney
By: Steven Carlson | 24/01/2007 | DivorceWith so many attorneys practicing law in Ventura County California, how do you find the right Ventura County divorce attorney or Ventura County divorce lawyer who can help you with your particular divorce case and/or child custody case?
Divorce: Divorce and Legal Separation
By: Steven Carlson | 24/01/2007 | DivorceIn the United States, there are statistics that indicate that half of all marriages will end up in a divorce or legal separation. Often people do not differentiate between divorce and legal separation. Both divorce and legal separation refer to the situation when a couple decides not to live together anymore. But being separated is much different than being divorced.
San Luis Obispo Divorce Attorney
By: Steven Carlson | 24/01/2007 | DivorceWith so many attorneys practicing law in San Luis Obispo County California, how do you find the right San Luis Obispo County divorce attorney or San Luis Obispo County divorce lawyer who can help you with your particular divorce case and/or child custody case?
Divorce and Premarital Agreements: What are Premarital Agreements?
By: Steven Carlson | 24/01/2007 | DivorceBefore getting married, many couples are now choosing to reach a pre-marital agreement. Premarital agreements also know as pre-nuptial or ante-nuptial agreements, once seemed to be reserved to Hollywood stars or Celebrities for Hollywood divorces or Celebrity divorces. However, over the last decade it became more and more common for the common spouse to sign a premarital agreement contract with his/her future spouse, especially on the West Coast.
Santa Barbara Divorce Attorney
By: Steven Carlson | 24/01/2007 | DivorceWith so many attorneys practicing law in Santa Barbara County California, how do you find the right Santa Barbara County divorce attorney or Santa Barbara County divorce lawyer who can help you with your particular divorce case and/or child custody case?