In the UK you are either married and living together or married but living separately. Some people choose to live separately but do not divorce for the following reasons:

• Have religious objections to divorce
• Have been married or in a Civil Partnership for less than a year
• Want to take time for consideration before ending the marriage or civil partnership

You don't have to prove 'irretrievable breakdown' in order to live separately. However, you cannot remarry while legally separated. If you wish to commit to another relationship, you will need to get a divorce first, or ensure that your civil partnership has been legally dissolved.

Our Family Law Team will be happy to provide you with guidance concerning:

• whether a judicial separation is appropriate
• separation agreements