Can I Date While My Divorce Is Pending?

Divorce Massachusetts, Divorce Mass., Divorce Suffolk County, Divorce Middlesex County, Divorce Essex County, Divorce Norfolk County, Divorce Boston, Divorce Winthrop, Divorce East Boston, Divorce Revere, Divorce Danvers, Divorce Lynnfield, Divorce Marblehead, Divorce Swampscott, Divorce Nahant, Divorce Peabody, Divorce Salem, Divorce Saugus, Divorce Arlington, Divorce Belmont, Divorce Burlington, Divorce Cambridge, Divorce Everett, Divorce Malden, Divorce Medford, Divorce Melrose, Divorce North Reading, Divorce Reading, Divorce Somerville, Divorce Stoneham, Divorce Wakefield, Divorce Watertown, Divorce Wilmington, Divorce Winchester, Divorce Woburn, Divorce Brookline, Divorce Braintree, Divorce Milton, Divorce Quincy, Divorce Chelsea, dating and divorceIt is not uncommon once a marriage is over for spouses to start looking at the dating scene again, even while their divorce is still pending.  One of the most common questions divorce attorneys are asked is whether a spouse can date while their divorce is still pending.  Well the short answer is: Yes!

However, the longer answer requires considering the financial aspect of a divorce as well as custody and parenting issues.  On the financial side of a divorce, there are two primary parts of a divorce: property division and support.  In Massachusetts, the Probate and Family Court must consider the factors outlined in General Laws Chapter 208, Section 34 for property division.  They are:

  1. Length of marriage.
  1. Conduct of the respective parties during the marriage.
  1. Ages of the respective parties.
  1. Health of the respective parties.
  1. Station of the respective parties.
  1. Occupations of the respective parties.
  1. Amount and sources of income of the respective parties.
  1. Vocational skills of the respective parties.
  1. Employability of the respective parties.
  1. Estates of the respective parties.
  1. Liabilities of the respective parties.
  1. Needs of the respective parties.
  1. Current needs of the minor children of the marriage.
  1. Future needs of the minor children of the marriage.
  1. Opportunities available to the respective parties for future acquisition of capital.
  1. Opportunities available to the respective parties for future acquisition of income.
  1. Contributions of the respective parties in the acquisition, preservation or appreciation in value of their estates.
  1. Contributions of Husband and Wife as homemaker.

It is the second factor, Conduct of the respective parties during the marriage that is most important when it comes to dating while a divorce is still pending.  If a spouse who is still going through a divorce spends significant amount of money on their new love interest, then the Probate and Family Court can construe that as a dissipation of marital assets, and award the other spouse a greater share of the marital assets because of this.  Otherwise, the Probate and Family Court will give little consideration to dating when dividing marital assets.

The other financial issue is alimony.  For a spouse who is receiving alimony, alimony can be “suspended, reduced or terminated upon the cohabitation of the recipient spouse when the payor shows that the recipient spouse has maintained a common household, as defined in this subsection, with another person for a continuous period of at least 3 months”.  G.L. c. 208 §49(d).  So if a spouse who is receiving alimony moves in with their significant other while the divorce is pending (or even after the divorce is finalized), then the alimony can be suspended, reduced or terminated.

The other issues that arise with a spouse who is dating during a divorce relates to custody and parenting issues.  If a spouse is dating a new significant other, it is not uncommon to address in the divorce whether the children will meet this significant other, and whether the spouse/parent can move in with this significant other without any impact on the parenting plan.  Also, if a spouse’s significant other has a criminal past, history of substance abuse, or prior involvement with DCF, the significant other’s character can be scrutinized in the divorce in determining whether this is an appropriate person for the children to be exposed to.  This can all impact the custody and parenting plan of a family.

Whether a spouse should date after separating and while a divorce is pending is a very personal and individualized decision.   There is no law in Massachusetts that prevents spouses from dating after separating or divorcing, but if a spouse does choose to date, he/she should be mindful of how it can impact his/her divorce.

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