Trial separations are likely to end in divorce

If you thought a trial separation could be a means of reconciliation between two people, you are possibly wrong, for some experts have said that it’s simply a precursor to a divorce.

"It means they have made a statement to no longer live with each other but have not actually consulted or chosen an attorney yet,” the New York Daily News quoted Laurence Greenberg, divorce attorney and legal expert, as saying.

According to Stuart Slotnick, a defence attorney at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, nearly 100% of the couples, which agree to a separation end up divorced.

"It's a baby step in the direction of divorce that two partners take when they are not ready to make the decision to divorce, but are already on that path,” he said.

Occasionally, a trial separation is undertaken after a couple turns to a marriage counsellor who suggests letting the relationship cool off for a little bit.

In rare cases, it may even work in bringing the couple together.

"If the parties are physically separated from each other but they are taking actions such as going to marriage counseling, or having a calendar or schedule of goals they want to reach together, then this type of non-traditional trial separation may work," Greenberg said.

For couples with a child, there may be an increased motivation to stay together.