I have a very good friend who lives in Texas, in a suburb of Houston and her and her H are going through a divorce. However, via the courts they were able to put a temporary separation order in place. Now it might not be offically called a "legal separation" but temporary orders for custody, support/insurance and who gets to stay in the marriage home can be ordered via the courts. Dont say it cant because it can. They had a court date and everything and it was all made official.
It doesnt have the same "rules" as NY but it is in fact a form of a formal separation agreement...it just might not be called that. So unless the rules of Houston and Dallas differ greatly then I would check into that more. In fact, when I speak to her again I will ask her what it is called in Texas.
