It seems only natural to want to find a new companion after your marriage ends, but doing so before your divorce is officially finalized can actually impact the outcome of your divorce settlement. Not only will dating during your divorce harm your chances of obtaining the results you are seeking, but it is also a bad idea for emotional reasons, especially if you share children with your soon-to-be former spouse.
Not sure why dating during your divorce is a bad idea? We provided a list of reasons below that explain why it is best to wait until after your marriage is dissolved before you hit the dating scene again:
- It can harm your case from a strategic perspective: Divorce is an emotional process for both parties, regardless of who initiated the divorce or if it was mutually agreed upon. If your spouse sees you with someone new, this is going to feel like a punch to the gut and he or she will likely even react to this news by making your life difficult and stalling the divorce process as a form of revenge. The last thing you want is for your divorce to take longer than it should. Additionally, if you share children, you will want to do what you can to keep the relationship on good terms and minimize the chances of animosity developing between you and your co-parent.
- It can impact your chances of obtaining child custody: If your new partner has a questionable background and you are seeking custody or certain visitation rights, this can harm your child custody case. Keep in mind that any individual who has frequent contact with your children will be heavily scrutinized and become part of a custody investigation. Therefore, if your new girlfriend or boyfriend has an unsavory history, you can expect it to have repercussions when it comes to how much time you are able to have with your children. Is having a new person in your life really worth that high risk?
- It can impact the amount of support you receive: If you really move things at a fast pace with your new partner and end up living together, this will most certainly eliminate your chances of obtaining spousal support. When you share living expenses with a partner, the court will assume that you are not in need of financial assistance. Considering that most rebound relationships generally do not last, it would be a shame to miss out on spousal support for something that is unlikely to last. Be smart and do not sacrifice the support you need for a temporary relationship.
- It can have an emotional impact on you: There is more to divorce than the settlement you ultimately achieve. You should also consider how emotionally ready you are to handle a new relationship. While it might feel nice to have a new someone in your life who lavishes you with attention and affection, chances are you are still unpacking the issues that led to the end of your marriage. Instead of jumping into something new right away, take the time to figure out what went wrong and what you are looking for in a new relationship. Additionally, it would be best to date when you are not under the stress of the divorce process, so you are at your best as you try to find a new companion for your life.
- If that new someone is really the one for you: Sometimes things happen without planning and you might find someone who seems perfect for you. It might seem torturous to wait, but life will be much easier for both of you to wait for all the papers to be signed and for the divorce to be finalized. If that person truly is special, he or she will not mind waiting. If not, you probably both just saved yourselves some time.
Divorce Attorney in Denver
If you and your spouse are going through the divorce process, you should not hesitate to obtain the skilled legal assistance of a divorce attorney. At Denver Family Lawyers, we can provide the knowledgeable and experienced representation you need during this difficult time to ensure your interests are well protected. Do not leave the outcome of your divorce up to chance by representing yourself.
Get started on your divorce case today and reach out to our law office at (303) 225-3343 to request a free initial case evaluation.