Separate Maintenance

Separate maintenance is a legal arrangement that allows a married couple to live apart while still technically being married. It involves one spouse providing financial support to the other without a formal divorce. This may include alimony or child support, and is often sought when one partner wants financial security while working through marital issues. Separate maintenance can provide the benefits of a stable financial arrangement while allowing both parties time to consider their future, whether that leads to reconciliation or divorce. It can help protect rights and responsibilities during a separation.