Yes, judicial separation can lead to divorce later, but it is not automatic. Judicial separation is a legal process that allows a married couple to live apart and settle issues like finances and child custody without ending the marriage. It may be chosen for religious, financial, or personal reasons when a couple is not ready for divorce.

If, after a period of separation, one or both spouses decide they want to end the marriage permanently, they can file for divorce, often using the judicial separation as evidence of the breakdown of the relationship. In many cases, the time spent under judicial separation may count toward the required separation period for divorce, depending on the laws of the jurisdiction.