Legal separation and divorce are not a natural progression; this means that because a couple has sought legal separation it does not mean that divorce is the inevitable next step. Taking time to think things through and live independently is often one way to resolve issues and save a marriage. This is the very reason that some states institute waiting periods during the divorce process and also provide a thirty day window after finalization in which the couple can file to have the decree reversed. Where legal separation and divorce are concerned, however, it is vitally important to do everything in a formal and official manner. Simply packing up one's bags and heading to a new apartment or hotel is a recipe for trouble, and establishing a legal separation with all of the accompanying documents is the wisest choice. This protects assets and claims on property, but it also allows for a more reasonable approach to the dissolution of a marriage.