Sources close to the former couple tell TMZ … this is NOT a separation. They are definitely getting divorced. But both are concerned about serious PR damage if the divorce turns ugly, and they don’t want to open the door to media reports about them straying from the marriage as well as other issues.
The concern … even if the case doesn’t go to trial … any allegation put down in legal docs could end up getting leaked … and both Gwyneth and Chris agree … that’s the worst case scenario for both of them.