Living Together After Divorce

When couples divorce, one party typically moves out of the marital home, while the other one stays. After all, why would a couple continue to live together when there is so much tension?

The truth is that many couples continue living together even after the divorce process has been initiated. They may do this for several reasons, but the most common reason is finances. Splitting a home into two can be quite pricey. Two people can live together much more cheaply. Plus, in many areas, there is a severe housing shortage, so finding a new place to live right away may not be feasible.

Whatever your reason, if you and your spouse want to continue living together temporarily during or after a divorce, it is possible. However, nobody said it was easy. You will face some challenges along the way. Here’s a look at some of them.

Communication Issues 

Communication does not get any easier after a divorce. If you and your ex fought a lot while married, that will probably still be a pattern. Therefore, you need to be able to put your differences aside during and after the divorce process. But this is easier said than done. If you had unresolved issues before the divorce, they won’t suddenly go away, so you need to learn to ignore them.

Setting Boundaries

Going from a married couple to roommates means setting boundaries. For example, you will probably not want to be sleeping in the same bed anymore. You probably won’t want to go on dates or have romantic relations anymore. So you and your ex will need to be on the same page as to what behavior is considered acceptable now and what is not.

Defining Your Space

Defining your spaces in the home can be tricky now that you and your spouse are splitting up. There are shared spaces in the home, such as the living room and kitchen. Who gets to use these spaces and when? What if there is only one TV in the house? Do you have to take turns?

Staying in the marital home becomes tricky at this point, so you need to work together to figure  out what spaces are yours, your ex’s, or both.

Confusion Over Relationship Status

In most divorces, there is one spouse who initiates the process, while the other goes along reluctantly. Continuing to live together even though a divorce is in process can cause confusion for the spouse who did not initiate the divorce. They may get their hopes up for a reconciliation, which can make the situation awkward.

Seek Legal Help

Ending a marriage is difficult. There are a lot of changes and transitions that need to happen, and sometimes they take time. That’s why couples may need to continue to live together temporarily.

Not all divorces are the same. Your situation may vary. Get the best outcome possible with help from Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. Count on us to guide you through it. Schedule a consultation today by calling 954-764-4330 or filling out the online form.

Source:

equitablemediation.com/blog/living-together-after-divorce