Minnesota Legal Separation Agreement
Minnesota grants a decree of legal separation, a court determination of a couple's rights and responsibilities that does not end the marriage, granted when one or both parties need it. Attorney review available.
Find out where you stand in Minnesota
DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.
Introduction
Minnesota grants a decree of legal separation, which the statute defines as a court determination of the rights and responsibilities of a husband and wife arising out of the marital relationship, and a decree of legal separation does not terminate the marital status of the parties (Minn. Stat. 518.06). So a Minnesota couple can have the court set support, parenting, and financial responsibilities while staying legally married, and neither spouse may remarry. What separates a Minnesota legal separation from a dissolution is the finding the court makes: a dissolution is granted only when there has been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, while a decree of legal separation is granted when the court finds that one or both parties need a legal separation (Minn. Stat. 518.06). To file, at least one spouse must have resided in Minnesota, or been a member of the armed services stationed here, for 180 days immediately before filing (Minn. Stat. 518.07). A legal separation does not end the marriage and does not prevent a later dissolution: a spouse who decides to end the marriage can petition for dissolution, and the earlier separation does not block that step. Couples choose a Minnesota legal separation over divorce to keep a spouse on health insurance, to reach the ten-year mark for certain military and Social Security spousal benefits, for religious reasons, or as a trial step before deciding to divorce. In a legal separation the Minnesota court divides marital property on the same just and equitable basis it uses in a dissolution and can order spousal maintenance, so rather than repeat those terms here they belong in a Minnesota Marital Settlement Agreement; if you decide to end the marriage instead, the pleading that starts it is a Minnesota Divorce Petition. DocDraft builds your Minnesota legal separation agreement from your facts, with attorney review available before you sign.
Key Things to Know
- 1
Minnesota grants a decree of legal separation, defined by statute as a court determination of the rights and responsibilities of a husband and wife arising out of the marital relationship; a decree of legal separation does not terminate the marital status of the parties (Minn. Stat. 518.06).
- 2
A Minnesota decree of legal separation is granted when the court finds that one or both parties need a legal separation. A dissolution, by contrast, is granted only on a finding that the marriage has irretrievably broken down (Minn. Stat. 518.06).
- 3
To file for a legal separation in Minnesota, at least one spouse must have resided in the state, or been a member of the armed services stationed here, for 180 days immediately before filing (Minn. Stat. 518.07).
- 4
A Minnesota legal separation does not end the marriage; neither spouse may remarry, and the marriage ends only through a later dissolution of marriage.
- 5
A Minnesota legal separation does not prevent a later dissolution. A spouse who decides to end the marriage can petition for dissolution, and the earlier decree of legal separation does not block that step.
- 6
Couples choose a Minnesota legal separation over divorce to keep a spouse on health insurance, to reach the ten-year mark for certain military and Social Security spousal benefits, for religious reasons, or as a trial step before deciding to divorce.
- 7
In a Minnesota legal separation the court divides marital property on the same just and equitable basis used in a dissolution and can order spousal maintenance, so those terms belong in a marital settlement agreement rather than the separation itself; see the Minnesota marital settlement agreement page.
Key decisions before you file
Before you file a Legal Separation Agreement in Minnesota, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Legal Separation Agreement guide walks through them.
Open the Legal Separation Agreement guideCustomize your Legal Separation Agreement Template with DocDraft
Minnesota Requirements for Legal Separation Agreement
Decree of Legal Separation
Minnesota grants a decree of legal separation, defined as a court determination of the rights and responsibilities of a husband and wife arising out of the marital relationship; a decree of legal separation does not terminate the marital status of the parties (Minn. Stat. 518.06). The couple stays married and neither may remarry.
Granted When One or Both Parties Need It
A Minnesota decree of legal separation is granted when the court finds that one or both parties need a legal separation. A dissolution, by contrast, is granted only on a finding that the marriage has irretrievably broken down (Minn. Stat. 518.06).
180-Day Residency to File
To file for a legal separation in Minnesota, at least one spouse must have resided in the state, or been a member of the armed services stationed here, for 180 days immediately before filing (Minn. Stat. 518.07). A spouse who does not yet meet it must wait until the period has passed.
Marriage Continues
A Minnesota legal separation does not end the marriage. Neither spouse may remarry, and the marriage ends only through a later dissolution of marriage.
No Bar to a Later Dissolution
A Minnesota decree of legal separation does not prevent a later dissolution. A spouse who decides to end the marriage can petition the court for a dissolution of marriage, and the earlier separation does not block that step.
Property and Maintenance
In a Minnesota legal separation the court divides marital property on the same just and equitable basis used in a dissolution and can order spousal maintenance. Because this is the same division used in a divorce, set it out in a Minnesota marital settlement agreement rather than in the separation itself.
Reasons to Choose Separation Over Divorce
A Minnesota legal separation keeps the marriage in place, which can preserve a spouse's health insurance, help reach the ten-year mark for certain military and Social Security benefits, or serve religious or trial-step reasons. Confirm insurance effects with the plan, since many treat a legal separation like a divorce.
Separation Versus Marital Settlement Agreement
A Minnesota legal separation sets the couple's marital status; a marital settlement agreement is the contract that divides property and sets maintenance and is used in both a separation and a dissolution. Keep the money and parenting terms in the marital settlement agreement and rely on the legal separation for status.