Most states have no fault and uncontested divorce options that can often allow the couple to handle the bulk of the paperwork on their own. In fact, there are many states with do it yourself options and summary dissolutions too. When a couple is only contemplating the thought of divorce, however, they may still want to live apart and the best way to do this is to create a formal arrangement for doing so. This does not mean that a lawyer must be visited and all kinds of final decisions hashed out, but it doesn't hurt to seek out some free legal separation papers that will formalize some critical details. For instance, free legal separation papers will show a couple how they must address the payment of household bills, taxes, insurances, child support and debts. It will also show them how to arrange for child visitation and even the custody of household pets.