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Can I Date Before My Divorce Is Final?

 Posted on October 24,2024 in Divorce

Tarrant County, Texas Divorce LawyerPerhaps your divorce has been dragging on for months – or even years. You may have met someone that you really like and, under any other circumstances, would like to date and see where the relationship goes. While this is perfectly normal, dating during your divorce can have all sorts of unintended consequences. Dating while your divorce is in the works is not illegal in any way, and Texas divorce law is strictly no-fault as far as divorces go.

This means that even if you are dating another person during your divorce, your spouse cannot change to a fault-based divorce and accuse you of adultery or infidelity. No-fault divorce simply says the couple has irreconcilable differences that cannot be overcome. Even so, it is always a good idea to consult with your Hurst, TX divorce attorney from Daniel R. Bacalis, P.C. before you commit to a new relationship before your divorce is final. Some of the complications you could face are listed below.

Dating While You are Still Married Can Affect Cooperation with Your Spouse

Entering a new relationship while you are still married can anger your spouse, making him or her less willing to cooperate on certain issues. Since cooperation is vital to getting through a divorce, this can cause the divorce to drag on for more months than necessary. Even when both spouses are in agreement regarding the divorce, it can feel like a betrayal when one goes on to a new love interest before the ink is even dry on the divorce papers.

Determination of Parental Responsibilities Can Be Derailed When One Spouse is Dating

Determining which parent will have primary residential custody and which will have parenting time is difficult enough without adding another person into the mix. If there are already arguments regarding the allocation of parental responsibilities, the court will look at many different factors.

One of those factors could be the person you or your spouse are dating. For example, if the person you are romantically involved with is – or has ever – abused drugs or alcohol, this could be used by your spouse as evidence that your environment is dangerous for your child. If the person you are dating has a criminal record, even for a minor offense, that record can be used to deny you primary residential custody or to limit your parenting time.

Spousal Support Can Be Adversely Affected by a Spouse’s Romantic Involvement

If your new romantic interest stays over at your home sometimes, and you are hoping to get spousal support, you may have inadvertently complicated the situation. Your spouse may claim that you are cohabiting with another person and, therefore, are not entitled to spousal support.

Your spouse will have to prove that you are cohabitating by showing that you share a residence, share a bank account, have taken vacations together, share the bills, and so on. The judge may or may not believe your spouse's evidence, but it could lead to a judgment of no spousal support or less than you had hoped for.  

Dating Before Your Divorce is Final Can Negatively Affect Your Child

Divorce is hard on children. If you start a new romantic relationship before a child has had the chance to fully process the divorce, you may add to the confusion, and your child may end up being angry with you. Other relatives besides your child may also express anger because you are dating before the divorce is final. In the end, it is probably a good idea to wait until your divorce is final before you get romantically involved with another person.  

Contact a Tarrant County, TX Divorce Lawyer

Divorce is emotional for all those involved. Attorney Dan Bacalis is a Board-Certified Family Law Specialist with extensive experience in all aspects of divorce. Choosing a Hurst, TX divorce attorney who will guide you through the process and fight for your future can result in a much better outcome. Contact Daniel R. Bacalis, P.C. at 817-498-4105 to schedule your free consultation.

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