North Carolina law defines a separation as married spouses who establish separate living conditions, and at least one of the spouses intends this to be a permanent arrangement. Separated spouses cannot continue living together, and spouses who live separately temporarily are not considered legally separated. While a separation requires covering most of the same issues that a divorce would entail, it does not formally end the marriage. Divorce, on the other hand, ends the marriage contract, allowing each spouse to remarry if they wish.