Which state does not recognize legal separation?

Texas does not have a legal separation process recognized by law. In this state, couples who wish to live apart while remaining legally married do not have access to a formal legal separation status. Instead, partners may choose to live separately and may execute a separation agreement to address issues such as child custody, division of property, and support obligations; however, this agreement does not have the same binding legal status as a divorce.

In contrast, California, Florida, and New York have provisions for legal separation. These states allow couples to seek a legal separation that provides a court-sanctioned arrangement for issues like asset distribution and support while keeping the marriage intact. This distinction allows couples in those states to formalize their separation and still retain certain marital benefits, which is not available in Texas.