Florida overhauled its laws regarding custody and visitation in 2008, but the alterations were mainly cosmetic. Terminology changed -- visitation is now referred to as "time sharing" -- but many of the underlying issues remain the same.

A legal separation is a court order that is similar to a divorce. Assets are divided and child custody is decided. A judge will also rule on child and spousal support. A legal separation is often a "trial divorce" where a couple decides to ...

Couples sometimes opt for legal separation rather than divorce because of religious beliefs held by one or both spouses. Other couples choose legal separation to allow one spouse to retain health insurance coverage under the other spouse's policy.