Navigating "Legal Separation" in Mississippi: What You Need to Know When marital difficulties arise, many individuals seek ways to live apart from their spouse while maintaining certain protections or obligations, without immediately resorting to divorce. In many states, this concept is known as "legal separation." However, Mississippi's legal landscape is unique, and understanding its specific approach to marital separation is crucial for anyone considering this path. Unlike many other jurisdictions that have a formal "legal separation" statute, Mississippi does not recognize legal separation as a distinct, court-ordered status that automatically resolves all marital issues short of divorce. This often surprises people moving to Mississippi or those familiar with laws in other states. Instead, Mississippi offers alternative legal remedies that serve a similar purpose, primarily "Separate Maintenance" and, less commonly today,...