dating during divorce

Dating While Divorcing: Is It a Good Idea?

December 23, 2021 by David Betz

Individuals have different opinions regarding the matter. While we cannot tell you what to do, we can suggest considering all the factors in your situation.

Going through a divorce is typically a physical and emotional process for the parties involved, whether the split is amicable or not. However, it is not unusual to find a divorcee in another relationship before finalizing the court proceedings. Perhaps you want a shoulder to lean on during this trying time, or you’re looking to get back at your spouse. Either way, the idea of dating while divorcing can have specific implications. Here are some of the ways dating during a divorce can affect the entire process.

Creates Unnecessary Conflict

Your soon-to-be ex-partner can feel aggrieved when they realize you’re in a relationship before your marriage is officially over. They can claim you engaged in extramarital affairs leading to the split, especially if you filed for the divorce. This can heighten the tension between you and hinder effective communication during the process. Your case may have to drag for months in court if you can’t agree on specific issues concerning the divorce.

May Limit your Settlement Options

Apart from kids’ custody, money, and property settlement, there are often contentious issues during a divorce. Dating while divorcing can limit the amount of money you receive as spousal support. It could also threaten your settlement options, especially if you expect to receive your alimony as a lump sum instead of monthly installments.

Most spouses don’t agree to pay lump sum alimony if their soon-to-be-ex is in a relationship. At best, they’ll send monthly spousal support until their ex decides to remarry, after which all support privileges end.

Can Affect Your Kids

Divorce is between two people, but the kids also suffer during the trial. The change from spending time with both parents to one can be psychologically and emotionally exhausting.

Therefore, bringing a new partner into the scene may only add stress to their lives as they try to navigate this new chapter. Your children may also grow estranged once they have difficulty accepting your new partner as a parent.

Distracts you from the Reality

There’s no doubt a divorce can be financially and emotionally challenging. It takes time to get over someone you’ve spent years together with, whether it was by mutual consent or not. After all, there was a time you were madly in love with each other.

While dating while divorcing can help ease the pain of a divorce, it can prevent you from healing. It can also impair your judgment, as you may make crucial decisions about your children’s future based on your present feelings rather than the welfare of all.

Is Dating While Divorcing Advisable?

Individuals have different opinions regarding the matter. While we cannot tell you what to do, we can suggest considering all the factors in your situation. Dating while divorcing may have consequences for everyone involved.

Contact The Betz Law Firm

Divorce can be a complex process, and you need to hire a skilled and reputable lawyer to guide you through the process and protect your rights and interests. Contact The Betz Law Firm today for legal representation.

Speak With an Experienced Attorney

Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families get through life changing events.

Call (314) 801-8488

Dec 23, 2021 @ 3:26 pm

Is It Ok to Go on Dating Sites While My Divorce Is Pending?

March 11, 2021 by David Betz

If you and your spouse have agreed to separate, then you need the help and legal advice of an experienced attorney to make sure you get through this process successfully.

Divorce means different things for different people. For some, it’s their worst nightmare come to life and the start of a painful process. But for others, it’s a gate towards a fresh start, and you may already be emotionally ready to start dating.

But while your divorce is still pending, is it ok to start going on dating sites and meeting new people? The answer is a bit complicated, but let’s dive deeper into the subject.

Defining the Word “Ok”

From a legal standpoint, going on dating sites or dating someone isn’t forbidden when you’re in the middle of a divorce. Missouri has a limited “no-fault” divorce, meaning in most cases, spouses can go through the process without having to prove cruelty or adultery. Irreconcilable differences are the most common motivation for divorce in the state.

Dating during the marriage isn’t ok, but judges will generally not frown on one of the spouses dating throughout a divorce if the couple has already been separated for a while, either.

However, many divorce attorneys will encourage their clients to wait until the divorce is finalized, especially if there is a custody battle involved. So you may want to wait a bit to sign up for these services until your divorce is finalized.

It’s Your Spouse You May Need to Worry About

During a divorce, both parties must remain civil, as much of the proceedings involve negotiating certain terms. Sometimes, showing clear signs that you have moved on, such as going on dating sites, can irritate your former spouse and push them to refuse to cooperate, dragging out the divorce even more, which doesn’t help anyone, after all.

Apart from that, you may complicate matters even further if you also have a custody battle. Judges will make these decisions based on what’s best for the child. Your presence on these sites could allow your former spouse to argue that your dating doesn’t create an excellent child environment, especially given that divorce is a traumatic experience for children. An argument that your former spouse can use is that their child shouldn’t live in a place where strangers (the people you’re dating) come all the time, and the judge may agree.

Additionally, given that these profiles are public, they can be used against you. Your photos, descriptions, and even interactions with people on these social media sites may be brought in front of the judge to paint you in an unfavorable light.

Contact Your St. Louis Divorce Attorney

If you and your spouse have agreed to separate, then you need the help and legal advice of an experienced attorney to make sure you get through this process successfully. Get in touch with a St. Louis divorce attorney as soon as possible for a consultation and best recommendations on properly navigating this process.

Speak With an Experienced Attorney

Our firm uses experience, good communication, and availability to help families get through life changing events.

Call (314) 801-8488

Mar 11, 2021 @ 7:00 pm

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