Anyone ever pursue "order for separate maintenance" in VA?

[Anonymous]

In the process of speaking to family law lawyers about my marriage, which is most likely dissolving due to fault on DH's part. For reasons I don't want to get into (too specific and identifying), separation is something I'd find attractive in the short term despite having really clear fault grounds for divorce. I know there's no legal separation in VA, but one lawyer suggested filing an "order for separate maintenance" as a way to get exclusive use of my house, legal custody of my kids, and child support. I can't find a ton of information to cross reference what the lawyer said. Does anyone have experience?