The divorce process is challenging on its own for anyone, whether you are the one initiating the divorce or the one receiving it. However, the emotional turmoil that comes with divorce isn’t always a sad thing because it can also open up some opportunities for people to forge ahead with their lives. One of the immense opportunities that come with divorcing is the possibility of dating other people yet again.
While people who are going through a divorce may be lonely, they desire to socialize and enjoy themselves again, and many divorced men or women meet someone new and end up having a great time. After all, seeking comfort in one person while divorcing another is not very unusual. However, you should be aware of the possible complications if you begin dating after filing for divorce and how to deal with them effectively.
When you’re starting over after a divorce, it’s normal to want to spend time with someone new, so this article provides some points on how to do that while remaining courteous and considerate of your soon-to-be ex-spouse.
Make A Distinction Between Affair And New Relationship
The presence of a new partner during your divorce might infuriate your soon-to-be-ex and lead them to think that there has been an affair between you and the new partner even before filing for the divorce.
As a result, a common unanticipated effect of entering a new romantic relationship during a divorce is that your spouse may try to prolong the divorce proceedings. Whether justified or not, bringing a new partner around can undoubtedly delay the divorce procedure, escalate your attorney’s costs and increase tension and conflict between you and your spouse.
To make things even more uncomfortable, the other side’s attorney might summon your partner in court to testify and answer questions regarding when your relationship began, whether or not your new relationship is serious, and whether you’ve transferred any joint marital estates to your new partner, while still married.
What You Can Do When Dating During A Divorce
Once you decide to divorce your spouse, this is genuinely the right time to socialize and go out with friends, attend an event and augment your social network. However, if you meet someone you want to be romantically involved with, the first and the best thing you need to do is be upfront and honest about your situation. Tell them what you’re going through, see if they’re understanding about your situation, and try to be as low-key as possible with your new partner until you settle the divorcing process for good.
Another thing that might spike your interest while going through a divorce, especially if you are feeling isolated, lonely, and depressed, and even if you’re dating a new person is to attend a divorce support group. This will help you deal with any feelings you might still have towards your soon-to-be-ex-spouse, or just relieve any separation anxiety and fear of loneliness if that’s what you’re suffering from at the moment.
Things You Mustn’t Do When Dating During A Divorce
In the eyes of the court, you and your ex-spouse are free to date and remarry after your divorce is finalized. However, until you’re physically separated from them, it’s not in your best interest to consider dating, even if you both verbally agree on the conclusion of the marriage. This is because your spouse might determine that the relationship with your new partner was the reason for the marriage failure, making it more likely that your spouse will receive a larger share of the assets, according to the judge.
It’s best to wait until you’re fully separated and then jump into the dating scene more freely, with this being especially important if you have children with your spouse. You wouldn’t want to introduce your children to your new partner yet, as it might add to your child’s distress, and it might also trouble your spouse, which can then lead to compromising the custody rights over your children. A good tip for divorcees with children is to wait until after the divorce is officially finalized and wait approximately six to seven months until you introduce them to your new partner appropriately.
Another thing to be aware of is getting pregnant before your divorce is final; so, be careful because this might complicate things even more, and it will prolong the legal divorce proceeding until after the baby is born.
Final Thoughts
Finally, don’t rush back on the dating scene as soon as you’re no longer with your spouse, as you need to give yourself time to heal, and if you are looking for a distraction, try to spend time with friends and family in your support system or your children if you have them.
Since emotions are still complicated while going through a divorce, it’s normal to go through difficult times. As a result, you must be honest with people about your situation and remember that not all people have to date while they are going through a divorce—so be sure that you are genuinely ready and willing to do something before you decide to go for it.
