living separate and apart
living separate and apart. (Of a husband and wife) living away from each other, along with at least one spouse’s intent to dissolve the marriage. • One basis for no-fault divorce in many states exists if the spouses have lived apart for a specified period. — Sometimes shortened to separate and apart. [Cases: Divorce 35, 36, 37(2, 3, 4); Husband and Wife 272(1). C.J.S. Divorce §§ 20–21, 42, 52, 70.]