Legal Separation in Tennessee

Tennessee recognizes legal separation. A married couple may choose legal separation instead of divorce for several reasons, such as religion, medical insurance, or complications with asset and property division between the spouses. In a separation, the spouses remain married, but sever most of their other marital connections. In practice, getting a legal separation is very similar to getting a divorce in that the partners are required to account for the custody and support of their children before being granted a legal separation. A legal separation can later be converted into a divorce. It can also be terminated at any time if the couple reunites, or it can abbreviate the divorce action when the separation resolves issues between the spouses. Legal separation gives the couple time to reach an agreement with each other so that a divorce action is usually shorter and less costly.