[header] How to begin a divorce [title] Research legal separation. [step] Legal separation, when a couple lives apart and formalizes their separation, is not a divorce. However, in some states, couples must be legally separated for a certain time period in order to file for a " no fault " divorce.. a legal separation may be formalized in a written document or by court order. 
[substeps] Determine your state's laws about legal separation. State-specific laws regarding separation can be found here: http: // www.hg.org/divorce-legal-separation.