The specific definition of the date of separation varies from state to state, but its generally considered the date that spouses no longer live together as a married couple. For example, a spouse could prove a date of separation by moving into a separate room in the house or by filing for divorce.
Is there a difference between separated and legally separated?
If you choose to legally separate, neither you nor your spouse will be able to remarry without obtaining a divorce. The main difference between obtaining a legal separation and obtaining a divorce is that in a legal separation you do not ask the court to terminate your marital status.
Can my husband remove me from our joint bank account?
Can I do that? Generally, no. In most cases, either state law or the terms of the account provide that you usually cannot remove a person from a joint checking account without that persons consent, though some banks may offer accounts where they explicitly allow this type of removal.
When couples file separately, the IRS requires taxpayers to include their spouses information on their returns. According to the IRS, if you and your spouse file separate returns and one of you itemizes deductions, then the other spouse will have a standard deduction of zero.