What Is Legal Separation?
It can provide many of the same protections that divorce
Legal Separation in San Francisco & the Bay Area
A Thoughtful Alternative to Divorce
If you and your spouse are struggling to make your marriage work but aren’t ready to pursue divorce, legal separation may offer a balanced solution. It allows you to live apart, define financial and parenting arrangements, and protect your legal rights — all without formally ending the marriage.
At Holstrom, Block & Parke, APLC, our San Francisco legal separation attorneys help clients across the Bay Area explore this alternative with care and clarity. With over 300 years of collective legal experience and multiple Certified Family Law Specialists on staff, we guide individuals and families through separation, divorce, and complex family transitions with the skill and compassion they deserve.
What Is a Legal Separation in California?
A legal separation functions much like a divorce — with similar filings, procedures, and court orders — but the marriage itself remains intact. Couples often choose this option when they:
During a legal separation, the court addresses the same issues as a divorce, including:
Once the court finalizes your legal separation, both spouses live independently — free from shared financial obligations unless ordered otherwise — while remaining legally married.
Benefits of Legal Separation
Legal separation provides many of the same protections as divorce, but with added flexibility and potential advantages:
Unlike divorce, there is no residency requirement for legal separation in California, and the process takes effect immediately once approved by the court.
Guiding Bay Area Families Through Separation with Care
Choosing between divorce and legal separation can be deeply personal and complex. Our Bay Area family law attorneys will help you evaluate your options and handle all filings, negotiations, and court procedures with professionalism and discretion.
At Holstrom, Block & Parke, we proudly serve clients throughout San Francisco, Alameda, Marin, Contra Costa, and surrounding Bay Area counties, providing trusted support through every step of the separation process.
Contact our San Francisco legal separation lawyers today to schedule a confidential consultation and start moving forward with clarity and confidence.
