It is not always financially practical for one spouse to move out of the marital home once the divorce or legal separation process begins. As difficult as it might be to share space with your soon-to-be former spouse, moving out is often a bad decision, especially in cases where children are involved. The parent who remains with the children will likely be viewed as the primary caregiver, which will harm the other parent’s chances of securing custodial rights to the kids. To avoid these complications altogether, it is best to remain in the marital home until the divorce is finalized.
How to Share the Same Space
Living together does not have to be a tense and unbearable situation. You and your spouse should do everything possible to make this go smoothly and avoid exposing your children to any unnecessary conflicts. If you cannot be around each other without arguing, create a schedule that allows you to avoid crossing each other’s paths as much as possible. Remember, just because you are still living together does not mean you are expected to live life as you did before deciding to end your marriage.
Here are some tips that will help you navigate this new dynamic:
- Create separate living spaces: One of the first things you should do is create separate living spaces. Do not continue to share the same bedroom, no matter how amicable your situation is. It will confuse your children and it might even confuse the two of you, especially if you continue to share a bed. Move into a spare guest room or, if you do not have an extra bedroom, create a living area for yourself in the basement or attic.
- Separate your personal living expenses: If both of you work, you should separate your personal living expenses. Doing so will also help you create a better understand your expenses now that you will no longer have the benefit of two incomes. If you do not have a job, you can request a temporary support order to cover your personal expenses during the divorce.
- Schedule parenting time: Work together to create a schedule that allows you both to have your own separate time with the children. Having separate parenting time will also help your children adjust to the coming changes.
- Do not perform household tasks for one another: Unless it is absolutely necessary for your children, you might want to keep your household tasks separate. For example, it might be a bad idea to continue to do laundry for your spouse. Keeping household tasks separate will help you learn to lead separate lives, which will better prepare you for the future.
Contact Alternative Divorce Solutions for a Free Case Review Today!
If you and your spouse can no longer make your marriage work, reach out to Alternative Divorce Solutions for the help you need to peacefully dissolve your marriage and protect your interests. We provide a vast array of legal options for spouses to end their marriage as smoothly as possible.
Reach out to our team today at 949-368-2121 get started with a free consultation.