” This question comes up quite often for soon-to-be divorcees.And, the simple answer should always be: “Not until your divorce is final.” But, life is rarely simple.
Couples that choose legal separation typically do so for religious reasons.
There is no distinction between platonic contacts and ones that are romantic or sexual, although from a practical standpoint, the romantic/sexual relationships are the ones that draw scrutiny and cause complications.
The reason divorce lawyers counsel against dating while the divorce is pending, even if separated, is that it has the potential to increase both the cost and the stress of the divorce trial. Judges, however, rarely punish someone who begins dating – sexually or otherwise – once they have physically separated from their spouse.
People often confuse being separated with a legal separation.
This article explains the differences between these concepts and provides a basic overview of military divorce.