The duration of time a couple must live apart before being eligible to file for, or be granted, a dissolution of marriage varies significantly depending on the jurisdiction. This mandated period of living separately, often referred to as a separation period, serves as a waiting period intended to allow reflection and potential reconciliation before a final legal severance. For example, some states require a 30-day separation, while others may mandate a year or more.
Establishing a minimum timeframe for living apart prior to divorce provides several societal benefits. It allows couples time to assess the viability of their marriage and consider alternatives to divorce, potentially reducing the number of divorces granted impulsively. Historically, such separation requirements stemmed from a societal desire to preserve the institution of marriage and ensure that divorce was a considered decision, not a hasty one.