Divorce Questions: When is it too soon to date?

On Behalf of | Jun 8, 2021 | Divorce

Things with you and your spouse have taken a turn for the worse, and now you’re getting divorced. How long should you wait before you move on?

It’s not a good idea to date during a divorce

Realistically, it’s not a good idea to date during your divorce. Why? You open up the risk of your spouse claiming that you cheated or that you don’t need spousal support if you move in with someone new. You could hurt your case, and it may be hard to focus on moving on when you’re dragged back into talks about your divorce every few days.

If your divorce isn’t finalized and you do want to date, you can, but you should be cautious. It’s best to:

  • Avoid posting on social media
  • Skip introducing your kids to a new partner
  • Avoid moving in with anyone new if you want to seek alimony
  • Never spend down shared assets that you don’t yet own following the divorce

It’s a good idea to keep your new relationship quiet and private if you do get into one. If you post about your new boyfriend or girlfriend and your ex-spouse gets upset by it, you could find that they dig in and make it harder to get through the divorce. They may take offers back off the table or make settling harder than before.

Being respectful can go a long way during a divorce. If you can’t wait to date, try to minimize bragging or sharing information about your relationship anywhere your spouse or children could see until your divorce is finalized. This will help save you from many headaches and give you a better opportunity to negotiate without your ex-spouse getting upset or using your relationship against you.

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