Understanding Legal Separation in North Carolina Legal separation in North Carolina is a court-ordered arrangement that allows a married couple to live apart while remaining legally married. It's a critical step for many couples contemplating divorce, offering both practical and legal benefits. Unlike a divorce, legal separation doesn't dissolve the marriage. Instead, it defines the rights and responsibilities of each spouse during the separation period. Key Differences Between Legal Separation and Divorce: Marital Status: Legal separation maintains the marriage; divorce ends it. Remarriage: You cannot remarry while legally separated. Reconciliation: Legal separation provides an opportunity for reconciliation. Grounds for Legal Separation North Carolina General Statute § 50-6 governs legal separation. The primary ground for legal separation is one spouse's abandonment of the other or maliciously turning the other out of doors. Proving ab...
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