Many persons ask their therapist or divorce attorney whether they should divorce now or separate and divorce later. From a legal perspective it is usually best to commence divorce proceedings rather than separate. If the marriage is irretrievably broken a separation postpones the inevitable. A separation, by its nature cannot compel an unwilling spouse to provide financial information, divide assets, allocate debts or pay support. However, if the parties are able to exchange financial information and reach an interim agreement on all important issues, a separation may be desirable until one party or the other feels a compulsion to terminate the marriage by way of divorce. When one considers the Court imposed delays (sometimes as much as three years ) it may be desirable to immediately commence divorce rather than wait.