We have had bees for several years....nothing like pure honey.
We have collected bee swarms as well as purchased bees from a local beekeeper.
And we have separated our hives. Last year we lost a few hives to bee collapse.
Separating a hive is something I usually schedule for the late spring with there is plenty of food source plants available. If you separate now, make sure you provide plenty of honey for each hive, enough brood in chambers to support both hives and you may have to supplement the food this winter. Hopefully your queens will have plenty of time to lay eggs for the winter hatch. Part of a successful wintering is plenty of active bees to keep the hive warm.