Legal separation is a legally recognized status in some states in which the spouses’ act of separating or living apart has legal consequences and changes the spouses’ rights and responsibilities. In some states the legal separation process is supervised by the court, which issues court orders for the parties to follow during their legal separation.

And in some states the spouses may enter into a written separation agreement that defines their rights and responsibilities during the separation period. Some states even require spouses to be separated for some period of time (e.g., one year) before they are able to divorce.

But some states—including Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Texas—do not recognize legal separation, and the spouses are married, with the same rights and responsibilities, until they are divorced.

Laws regarding legal separation vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the family or domestic relations code.

In Iowa, legal separation is a legally recognized status that allows married couples to live apart while remaining legally married. The process is similar to divorce in that it involves a court order and can address issues such as child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division. However, unlike divorce, it does not end the marriage. Iowa Code Section 598.5 and 598.17 outline the provisions for legal separation. The court supervises the legal separation process, and the parties must follow court orders during their separation. Spouses in Iowa may also enter into a written separation agreement to define their rights and responsibilities during the separation period. There is no mandatory separation period required in Iowa before a divorce can be granted. It's important for individuals considering legal separation in Iowa to consult with an attorney to understand their rights and obligations under state law.