[header] How to divorce in alabama [title] Try legal separation. [step] In a legal separation, the court determines the rights and responsibilities for each party. This allows a married couple who are unsure whether or not they want a divorce to live separately and determine if the marriage can be fixed. 
During a legal separation, the following rights or responsibilities may be accorded to the parties : [substeps] A court may establish that one spouse should receive alimony. A court can approve a child custody arrangement and child support.