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The difference between divorce and legal separation is that legal separation gives a husband time to hide his money.
Johnny Carson In Pennsylvania, there is no such thing as legal separation for spouses. People are either married or single. Rights created by marriage can be changed only by divorce. This is not to say, of course, that spouses do not live separately. In fact, sometimes spouses live separately for many years. There can be religious or financial reasons for not dissolving a marriage even though the spouses live apart. Separation simply means that two spouses no longer live together. Separation may occur by mutual consent or by one spouse leaving or being forced to leave the home. Under some circumstances, spouses may be considered separated even though they are still living together in the same residence. There is no legal requirement that a husband and wife be separated for a period of time in order to file for a divorce, and there is no legal requirement that a divorce be filed upon separation. In Pennsylvania, once parties have lived separate and apart for a period of two years, one party may seek a divorce without having to obtain the consent of the other party. Living separately has no effect on the validity of your will, power of attorney or medical directive. After divorce, provisions in a will for a spouse are void. Also, upon filing for divorce, any power of attorney naming the spouse is revoked. Neither of these provisions applies to separation. Some spouses change their wills when they...