Procedurally, dissolution of marriage (divorce) and legal separation are exactly the same. In either proceeding, you will be entitled to a determination of maintenance (formerly alimony), child support, parental rights and responsibilities, and division of property. The only difference between the two is that with legal separation, a decree is not entered and you will still remain legally married to your spouse. Six months after the court enters a Decree of Legal Separation, either party may request that the court convert that decree into a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage and the court will do so.
Religious preferences are often the reason some people opt to file for legal separation rather than dissolution of marriage, but there are other reasons as well. Regardless of what you choose as being the best option for you, Shepard Law is here to help.