What is the difference between estranged and divorced? Divorce has a legal status; it means the end of the marriage has been legalized by the court, and there are papers to prove it. ... Meanwhile, estranged has no legal status. It simply means that the couple has separate and are now living as strangers.

What does estranged mean legally?

The legal definition of estrangement is when a child grows apart from a parent for reasons that are justified by that parent's behavior. For example, Prior abuse or domestic violence toward the child or other parent.

What is an estranged marriage?

formal. : a married couple who no longer live together.