That just blows my mind.

To obtain a legal separation, I have to hire a lawyer.

But to file the divorce papers, you just have to pick up a few forms at the circuit courthouse, fill 'em in and file them.

The world is weird. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Sad isn't it. When I was signing our legal seperation (free because he's military), the soldier who notarized it said "why don't you just get a divorce, it's easier." That really angered me. Husband was a jerk saying "yeah it would be but she won't sign the papers." Believe me, I was upset. There was a room full of people just watching us and we signed them in the reception area.

Our state doesn't recognize legal seperation..

You can seperate...but the state doesn't recognize
it for financial support..

My legal seperation was done in Hawaii. Now my husband has been told that they don't even consider it other states. He's in Louisiana now and they say since it was seen by a judge, it doesn't count as a legal seperation. What do you think about that?

The biggest relavation of the past 8 months has been that I payed 10 times as much for my divorce compared to my wedding!

Leilana, It's VERY sad. Divorce is WAY too easy in our society. I read a quote by someone who said how it's easier to divorce his wife of 20 years than to fire an employee he hired one week ago. My divorce took ONE week. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" /> Both my husband and I were shocked. The saddest thing is that he called to stop it the day it was final. He told me in the morning but then got word of its finality in the afternoone and by then, he didn't know what to do. I mean, we were legally divorced. He told me not to tell anyone. He did not want it anymore. But the ball was already rolling and well, it is all very, very sad. Divorce is way too easy.

To obtain a legal separation, I have to hire a lawyer.
Why?

But to file the divorce papers, you just have to pick up a few forms at the circuit courthouse, fill 'em in and file them.
That's just to file. Then for the actual divorce, you need a property settlement (incuding retirement plans, alimony, maintenance), child custody, child support. And all this would best be done with at least consulting a layer.

DeborahAnn, that IS sad. But who's to say you can't remarry?

lol, H said he'd grant me the divorce uncontested IF I promised to remarrry him. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" />

Chris, because that's what I was told by legal aide.

And re: having to hire a lawyer for divorce...H and I don't need alimony from eachother, on that we agree...and we have no kids...and we both agree the house would be a 50/50 investment, as in a partnership. Sold or rented out, 50/50 split.

We're still very friendly in this separation. But yes, I know, people say that can change...that's why I want to push this divorce through a little sooner than I first planned.

we both agree the house would be a 50/50 investment, as in a partnership. Sold or rented out, 50/50 split
Make sure you get it in writing! As well as having first right of refusal if the other wants to sell.

This is Deborah Ann. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" /> Somehow, the other night when I posted, it posted under my old name "DeborahAnn" that I used to have when I came here a couple of months after my divorce back in November. I did not even notice that it posted under my old name until tonight! Wierd.

Anyways, Leila, thanks for the sentiments, but I really do not want to remarry right now. I still love my husband very much and even if we do not reconcile, I don't desire to have another husband.