A legal separation allows you to live apart, without divorcing or ending a civil partnership.

You can ask for a legal separation for the same reasons you could file for a divorce, eg:

• adultery
• unreasonable behaviour

However, you don’t need to show that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.

You may want a legal separation if:

• you have religious reasons against divorce
• you’ve been married less than a year
• you want time and space to work out if you want to end the marriage

Fill in a judicial separation petition – form D8.

Send 2 copies of the petition to your nearest divorce court, and keep your own copy. You need to include a certified copy of your marriage or civil partnership certificate when you send the form.

Getting a legal separation costs £365.