Marriage separation laws can actually be both formal and informal depending upon the state and the couple. Consider that some people decide to enter into separation agreements that are legally binding contracts, but which have no impact on the legal status of their marriage. Such contracts are simply put in place to establish certain financial and child visitation guidelines that the couple has agreed to meet or follow during the entire separation period. Marriage separation laws also have much more formal impacts upon a marriage, and there are some documents that establish the couple as legally separate entities. This might be to prevent the financial behaviors of one from affecting the other, or it might be to establish that no desertion is occurring on either part. Marital separations are usually considered as a way for a couple to cool off a bit, or they are the prelude to the divorce proceedings. Either way this period of time falls under specific laws and guidelines, and a divorcing couple should know the implications.