In Michigan, couples considering the dissolution of their marriage have options beyond immediate termination. One such option is a formal arrangement that allows spouses to live apart while maintaining their marital status. This contrasts with a final judgment that legally dissolves the marriage, permitting both parties to remarry.
Opting for separate maintenance, as it is formally termed in the state, can offer several advantages. It allows couples time to address marital issues through counseling or trial separations without the finality of a completed dissolution. Furthermore, it can be strategically beneficial for reasons pertaining to health insurance coverage, tax benefits, or religious beliefs that oppose divorce. Historically, this option provided a recourse in situations where divorce was not readily accessible or socially acceptable.