Is It Okay to Date While Separated?

Dating while separated before a divorce can complicate matters and could hurt you financially.

If you are seeking a dissolution of marriage in Missouri, there are things that you need to know in order to protect yourself, your custody rights, and your assets. If your marriage has been over symbolically for a while, you might be considering dating while separated – but that might be a big mistake.

Don’t assume that because you are separated, you can start dating other people. Although Missouri is a no-fault divorce state, that does not mean that having an affair can’t impact your divorce agreement and hurt you financially. And dating while separated may fall into that category.

How Complications Can Arise

Although most judges in Missouri will not take the sexual relationship of a mate with another person all too seriously, what they will take seriously is the potential that one partner has had another person enter the children’s lives, spend the night, or confuse minors. It can also be that your significant other might seek to prove that you were having an affair before the separation began, and it might become your word against theirs.

If you are dating someone, then it is possible for them to be deposed about the relationship, when it began, whether it was sexual, and whether they were aware of any marital property being hidden or transferred. Because of this, it is always best to wait until the papers are signed before you seek out a new partner after a divorce. If you do want to date, however, there are some things that you need to know.

• If you have not physically separated, then you cannot even consider dating someone. Even if you and your partner no longer share the same bedroom, unless one of you has left home, dating is a really bad idea and can end up causing you to lose marital assets or custody.
• If you are going to date, you need to use discretion around the kids. Don’t do anything that can call your judgment into question, confuse the children or make their pain worse throughout the divorce process; it is stressful enough for them as it is.
• Do not get pregnant or impregnate someone while you are separated. It might affect your custody, and it just doesn’t make a good impression on the judge about your judgment during the divorce proceedings.

A divorce is a confusing enough time in two people’s lives, it may be best just to wait until the papers are signed before you start looking for someone to fill the space. To make sure that you know what you should and shouldn’t do when you are separated, it is important to have the help of a professional St. Louis divorce attorney to guide you so that you don’t end up making a mistake that could cost you dearly.

St. Louis Family Law Attorney

At The Betz Law Firm, our legal practice is focused exclusively on family law and consists of a staff of experienced professionals who have immense knowledge of all the legal issues that can arise during a divorce. Hundreds of clients have been assisted with the issues of child custody, visitation, and support, as well as alimony, division of joint assets, and much more.

Contact The Betz Law Firm today for a free 30-minute phone consultation by calling (314) 801-8488 or by filling out our online contact form.