Although there are valid reasons why individuals might file for legal separation rather than divorce, there also could be drawbacks to legal separation. The conduct of one spouse during a legal separation also could make an ensuring divorce far more acrimonious and combative. Furthermore, reaching a separation agreement could be as expensive and time-consuming as a divorce. Individuals must address all the same issues as if they were getting a divorce. If the separation fails to result in reconciliation, then the parties would have the additional expenses and time involved in going through a divorce