is separation the same as divorce 
in most cases the legal termination of a marriage will result in a divorce unlike a separation a divorce is permanent this means both spouses are free to remarry however depending on the state where the couple lived and how long the marriage lasted a divorce also means the termination of economic benefits such as shared insurance assets and liabilities ultimately electing for a divorce over a legal separation or vice versa is a personal choice factors such as the cost of the divorce religious beliefs the shared benefits that come with remaining married any time frame thresholds such as a 10 year anniversary for military couples as well as simple uncertainty about permanently ending the marriage may make separation the correct choice 