Granted this was 30 years ago and at the time we were overseas, but the base legal office did draw up separation papers on us. The terms in those papers were no different than divorce papers. We went out separate ways and when I found another I wanted to marry I simply took those separation papers to a local lawyer and the divorce was granted with no problems. Can't say things still work that way now but maybe something to look into. That separation was with no malice from either of us which may have helped also.