7/30    What is the definition of a "separation" of two married people?
        \_ Oh BDG, where art thou?
        \_ It means they are separated. Easy, huh? If your wife leaves you
           for a man with a bigger vocabulary, but doesn't ask for a divorce
           then you are separated. If you agree to spend time apart to sort
           out your feelings you are separated. Separated means you broke up,
           but that you haven't filed for divorce. Separated people sometimes
           get back together, just like dating couples who break up.
           \_ It's not that simple.  There is a 'legal separation'.  Often
              people separate to see if they can work out their differences and
              get back together when they have.
              \_ You can't work out your differences with someone you're
                 avoiding.  It's divorce for people without the guts to get it
                 over with.
                 \_ Some people have gotten to the point where they can't be in
                    the same room without arguing.  Separation for a while can
                    allow cool-down and make it possible for people to talk
                    rationally again.
                    \_ If it's that bad they *should* be divorced.
        \_ It means you're both out fucking other people but promising not to
           use that in divorce court.  The marriage is dead and the ex-couple
           is probably staying together in the legal sense for other reasons
           which have nothing to do with emotional attachment.
        \_ If somebody has "filed for divorce" but their spouse won't sign
           the "papers", then what happens? mutiality isn't required, right?
           \_ Divorce still goes through; mutuality is not required.
              \_ I thought it varies by state?  Divorce laws are local, not
                 federal.