By the time you finally file for divorce, you feel like your marriage has been over for years. You and your spouse have slowly been drifting apart and it just took time to officially end it. This time will increase because divorce often takes months after you file.
What you’re wondering is if you can start dating. You’d like to pursue a relationship as your divorce moves forward simply because now you know that that relationship is ending and it’s time to move on to the next one. Are you allowed to do this before your divorce has actually been finalized?
What’s the legal position?
If you’re wondering about the legal position that you’re in, it’s completely fine. This is not illegal and you don’t have to wait to be out of your marriage before starting a relationship with someone else. You will technically still be married until the divorce is finished, but that doesn’t mean you can’t begin moving on with your life.
Can it create problems?
One thing to remember is that dating during a divorce can make the divorce harder. For instance, if you spend money on this new relationship, that can open up a lot of questions from your spouse about how to divide the assets that the family has.
Another thing to consider is if you have children. Your spouse may not want them to be around your new partner, and that could cause them to fight harder to try to get sole custody. It doesn’t mean that they will, but just that it might be more complicated for you to protect your rights. Be sure you know about all the steps you should take.
