What Are the Issues with Dating During a Divorce?

You may have planned to spend the rest of your life with your spouse. So, it is completely understandable why you are so heartbroken over your upcoming divorce proceedings. You may think keeping busy and distracting yourself during this emotional, stressful, and tense time is in your best interest. Further, you may resolve to do so by dating again. However, it may be in your best interest to put a hold on this for now and spend your time with family and friends instead. With that being said, please continue reading to learn the potential issues with dating during your ongoing divorce proceedings and how one of the experienced Clarksville divorce lawyers at Fendley and Birch can help you behave and act appropriately.

What constitutes dating during a divorce?

You may be mistaken if you assume that it is only considered dating if you share an intimate relationship with another person. Rather, your soon-to-be former spouse may not need to put together that much circumstantial evidence to accuse you of dating during your divorce. Such circumstances may include the following:

• You and another person maintained social contact that went beyond casual exchanges.
• You and another person frequently connected online, through texts or phone calls, and in person on dates.
• You and another person set clear intentions to enter a serious relationship if your connections are continually positive.
• You and another person participated in public conduct or made statements to confirm a romantic or serious relationship.
• You and another person have engaged in beyond casual social contact or sexual contact for a significant duration of time.

What are the potential issues with dating during a divorce?

There is no state law prohibiting you from dating during your divorce proceedings. However, this is not to say that it may not negatively affect the outcome of your case. Specifically, even if you did not start dating until you were separated or you filed for divorce, your soon-to-be-former spouse may argue that this is a representation of your marital misconduct. That is, they may argue that you started an emotional relationship with another person during your marriage, which allowed you to enter an intimate relationship so quickly amid your divorce.

Further, your spouse may go as far as citing your adultery as the driving force that broke down your marriage. Even if this is not true, this is something that the Tennessee family law judge will likely consider. This is because they may still contemplate whether you are actively using your marital funds to pay for the dates you go on with another person, give them gifts, or otherwise support their lifestyle. Or, they may judge whether you are already cohabitating with another person and have joint expenses you split. With these things in mind, the judge may lessen your property distribution and spousal support orders, respectively.

To ensure you do not go through this critical yet complex process by yourself, please reach out to one of the skilled Clarksville family lawyers. Our team at Fendley and Birch is more than happy to serve you.