Many people do not realize, but dating someone new during your divorce, or even soon after, can have serious implications. Read on to learn more about dating during a divorce and other behaviors to avoid.
New Jersey’s Grounds for Divorce
One of the first steps when it comes to filing for divorce is determining the grounds. Grounds refers to the legal reason the divorce is occuring. New Jersey is a no-fault state, meaning that a couple may file for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, or after being separated for 18 months or more. Regardless, you may still file for divorce under fault grounds, including:
- Desertion
- Addiction
- Adultery
- Extreme cruelty
- Deviant sexual conduct
- Incarceration
- Institutionalization for mental illness
What Happens if I Date During a Divorce?
If you date during a divorce, this could back up your spouse’s claims of adultery. This can lead to things like more or less alimony being awarded. Additionally, it can have an impact on child custody arrangements. For example, introducing a new child into your child’s life can have a negative emotional effect, which may impact a judge’s custody ruling.
What Other Behaviors Should I Avoid During a Divorce?
While you should avoid dating during and soon after your divorce, there are a number of other behaviors to avoid. For example, you should nor:
- Keep things from your attorney
- Post anything on social media that can be used against you
- Post information regarding your divorce on social media
- Withhold visitation from your spouse for their failure to make child support payments
- Move out of state with your children
- Start another romantic relationship during the proceedings
- Bring a new significant other around your children or the court hearings
- Get pregnant or get anyone pregnant
- Remove children from their current school
- Buy real estate or any extravagant items while the divorce is pending
- Sell property without the court’s permission
- Send mean or negative emails, texts, messages, etc. to your spouse
- Increase your debt while the divorce is pending
- Give large contributions to anyone during the proceedings
- Discuss the case with your children or use them as intermediaries
- Criticize your spouse in front of your children
If you have any questions or concerns about dating during your divorce, reach out to our firm. We are here to walk you through every step of the divorce process.
Contact our Firm
If you require experienced legal representation for a matter of Family Law, Supplemental Security Income, Medical Malpractice, Social Security Disability, or Legal Malpractice, Siragusa Law Firm is here to help. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation so we can discuss your case.