Deciding Who Will Move Out of the Family Home After Divorce

Navigating a divorce is often mentally and emotionally draining. It can be difficult to think about all the changes that will take place, but facing these changes head on can help you move into the next chapter of your life. One thing it is important to consider ahead of time is who will move out of the family home after divorce. This can be a difficult decision, but often a necessary one for your family. Understanding your options will make this decision easier and allow you to focus on moving forward.

First Steps and Looking Within

When deciding who will stay in the family home after divorce, both parties must take stock of their own personal situations. A few questions to be addressed at the outset include:

• Who legally owns the home?
• Can either party afford to keep the house by themselves?
• Will the children stay at the house or live elsewhere?
• How does a change in residence impact the children’s lives?
• Who will take on the household bills in the meantime?

Taking note of these factors can be helpful in determining what makes the most sense for your family. For example, if one party has legal ownership of the home and can afford to live there on their own, it often makes the most sense for the other party to move somewhere more affordable.

Alternatives to Moving Out

There are situations in which one parent moving out of the family home does not make sense or is not the best option. One alternative option is known as “bird-nesting,” which is when the children stay in the home as usual, while each parent takes turns living in the home. This can help ease the transition for children and limit initial financial burdens. While this can be a great option for many, this avenue is not open to everyone, especially in cases a spouse feels unsafe or if there is a risk of violence.

Speak with a Divorce Attorney About Your Case

Divorce is never easy. Even if your case is not contentious, you could still be facing difficult decisions such as where you and your children will live for the foreseeable future. While this can be a trying time, this process is not one that you have to face on your own.

A dedicated divorce attorney can provide invaluable support throughout your divorce, handling the legal burden so that you can focus on what matters­– your family. To discuss your family law case with a skilled legal professional, give us a call at Moskowitz Law Group today.