If parties are uncertain that divorce is the right decision, or if divorce is prohibited for religious or other reasons, a legal separation might be the best approach. A legal separation is much like a divorce in that the court has the ability to divide marital property, determine legal and physical custody of children, award support alimony, and calculate child support, but the parties remain legally married.  A legal separation action can always be converted to a divorce matter upon request of either party at any stage in the process.