Episode 378: Legal Separation vs Divorce with Nicole Sodoma

Separation is one of those words that confuses, intrigues, and scares a lot of people. In fact, one of the first questions that comes up for many considering divorce is, "Should we legally separate first?" I wanted to break down what legal separation actually means, what it requires, and what it protects you from, so I brought back attorney and founder of Sodoma Law, Nicole Sodoma.

Nicole has built a career on helping people navigate the legal side of divorce without losing sight of the emotional side. We get into what actually constitutes legal separation, what happens if you stay married but live apart under an agreement, and why a postnup might be one of the most useful tools you might not have considered.

If you're standing at the edge of this decision, you don't have to have it all figured out today. Give yourself the information, give yourself the time, and find the right people to have in your corner. That's how you get through this well.

What you'll hear about in this episode:

How legal separation can mean different things depending on your state (2:29)

What actually constitutes legal separation, and how that gets determined (5:30)

The benefits and drawbacks of filing for legal separation before divorce, in states that require it (10:00)

The upside and the risk of staying legally married while living apart under a mutually beneficial agreement, such keeping health insurance (12:55)

What a postnup is and how it can actually help save a marriage (15:50)

Reasons you might not want to separate yet (24:39)

Why putting space between a trigger and your response matters more than you think (32:29)

Learn more about Nicole Sodoma: