There are three primary differences between legal separation and divorce. If you are legally separated, you cannot remarry someone else, you can still be covered by your spouse's company sponsored health, dental, vision, and life insurance and it is easier to undo than a divorce if you reconcile. That last point is why I pushed for a legal separation at the beginning of the process. I wanted to give myself the best chance at reconciling if things went south with OM. Then, I never filed anything else.
As I understand it, my choice was either legal separation setting the agreed financial terms in stone or starting divorce proceedings with the potential to continue fighting over financial terms. Getting the financial aspects squared away once and for all seemed like the better move. The insurance coverages don't cost any more or less if she gets coverage.
As for filing something new to terminate my marital status, I'm not sure what it is worth to me. I never want to get married again and, if I change my mind, I can always file then. Of course, ending the legal process separated was never my goal. I was just trying to bust my divorce and I ended up separated.
