Legal Separation:
A legal separation is an option for individuals whose religious, moral, health, or economic reasons for separating prevent them from filing for a divorce. It is also available to those individuals who have not met the residency requirements for a divorce, but are in need of Court orders for child custody, visitation, and support as well as spousal support.
Under California Family Code the parties may choose to obtain a legal separation instead of a divorce which will give them all of the orders available under a divorce, but will leave them with the status of married and unable to marry another individual at the end of the case.
Once the legal separation is finalized should the parties desire to marry another individual, they must obtain a divorce and commence the divorce process anew.