The terms “legal separation” and “divorce” are often used interchangeably, but there is a big difference between the two. A legal separation is when a married couple decides to live apart, but they are still legally married. This means that they are still bound by the same laws and regulations that apply to any other married couple. They will still file their taxes jointly, for example, and they will still be considered next of kin for medical purposes. A divorce, on the other hand, is a legal process that ends a marriage. Once a divorce is finalized, the couple is no longer considered married in the eyes of the law. This has implications for many areas of their lives, including taxes, inheritance, and even health insurance.