A divorce can go on for a while, so this sometimes leads to our clients asking us if they can go out on dates while their agreement is finalized. Dating is allowed, but it can interfere with an ongoing divorce in a few ways. A lot of this depends on how your divorce is going and what kinds of obstacles are prolonging the conflict. This is why it can be a good idea to consult with our Morris County, NJ divorce lawyers before you decide to start up another relationship.
Is Dating Someone Else During My Divorce Allowed?
Dating someone while you are getting a divorce. You are an adult and there is no law against it. However, dating during a divorce can also be a major hassle, especially if you are in a contested and acrimonious divorce with your current spouse. Their attorney is looking for anything that they can use against you during a divorce, and they could be eager to use a new relationship or even a few casual dates against you.
If you and your spouse are on good terms, we recommend being upfront about these matters. You might be able to work out an agreement about how you handle dating and new partners, which can be an especially important thing to discuss if you have children.
Can Dating Complicate My Divorce Case?
Even if you are on relatively good terms with your spouse, dating can sometimes throw a wrench in your divorce process. For one thing, you must be extremely careful about how much money you spend. Springing for an expensive vacation with your new paramour could irritate your spouse and make them question if you are squandering marital assets. This can complicate the division of property, which already has the potential to be a stressful process.
Your dating life could also cause delays in the divorce process. If your spouse is wondering about the use of marital assets or if you’re introducing strangers to your children, that can create some speed bumps in your negotiations.
What Should I Avoid Doing If I Date During My Divorce?
If you do decide that the risks of dating during your divorce are worth it, then there are still some things that you want to avoid. Flaunting a new relationship on social media during the divorce process can be a bad idea, especially if you and your spouse are not on the best terms. You should also be careful about how you deal with the introduction of new partners to your children. They are already going through other seismic changes and this is something to navigate carefully.
Talk to a Family Attorney
If you are going through a divorce, you should have someone advocating on your behalf and fighting for a fair divorce agreement for you. So even if you think that your divorce will be mostly amicable, contact Townsend, Tomaio & Newmark. We are ready to guide you through this process.