Some spouses prefer judicial separation due to:
a) Religious beliefs that discourage divorce
b) Social pressure or stigma attached to divorce
c) Hope for reconciliation
d) Financial or inheritance reasons (divorce may cut off rights)
e) Children’s welfare
Judicial separation provides time and space to think things through, without ending the marriage.

There could be multiple reasons for a spouse to seek judicial separation instead of divorce:
- Exemption from the legal duty under conjugal relationship to cohabit.
- Willing or hoping to reconcile in future.
- Escape the social stigma attached to divorce.
- Need time to process and understand situation separately.
- Mutual understanding
- Partner has an affair, becoming a pretty common reason for legal separation amongst others.