Why Couples Choose Legal Separation Rather Than Divorce A criminal separation is a settlement between two married partners, who need to live separately beneath a contractual agreement. A couple may additionally pick out to have such an settlement as opposed to divorce for diverse reasons. After all, it is viable to reconcile after living separately because the union is not terminated. Legal separation should now not be confused with couples living casually apart. You can have to report for the process via your separation legal professional. The manner is similar in a few respects to divorce, as outlined by using the own family law in Oakville.