Your marriage is essentially over, even if the process itself is still in the works, so you might be wondering if you can get back into the dating scene and embark on a new chapter in your life. While it is great that your faith in love has remained unshaken despite this unexpected twist in life, dating is not something you should be eager to do while you are in the midst of a divorce. In fact, starting a new relationship at this point could negatively impact the outcome of your case.
Of course, only you can decide what you ultimately choose to do, but before you begin dating, consider some of these facts:
- If already began the divorce process, take some time to honestly evaluate how it is progressing. Is the case contested or uncontested? Is it consuming much of your time, resources, and emotional strength? If so, you might not even be in the right state of mind to begin a new relationship. If you are serious about love and your desire to not repeat any mistakes you might have made in your marriage, it would be best not to begin anything new while you are fraught with issues relating to your divorce. Starting a new relationship at this point will be overwhelming not only for you, but for any potential new relationships, and for your soon-to-be ex-spouse. While you might not care much about how your ex-spouse feels about your dating life, consider that he or she might funnel anger and hurt feelings into the divorce process, making settlement negotiations come to a halt.
- If you have yet to begin the divorce process, imagine what the future might entail, so you are able to better prepare for it and your goals. Divorce can be a time-consuming process and, depending on the circumstances and the dynamic between spouses, it can be a contentious battle that is exhaustive and difficult at times. Even if you are lucky enough to have a more amicable divorce on your hands, it is only natural to feel angry, sad, or disappointed. With so much on your plate, a new relationship can become just one more thing to fret over.
- If you have children, keep in mind that your dating behavior during divorce can have an impact on custody and parenting issues. If you think you are having a tough time coping with the end of your marriage, imagine what your children might be feeling. Adding a new person to the mix is something many child psychologists do not recommend, given the volatility of the moment and uncertainty children often feel. Additionally, if your new boyfriend or girlfriend has a questionable past, this can further complicate the process, causing your case to take more time and, consequently, cost more money.
If you do decide to date, be careful about having your significant other spend the night when you have your children over. If he or she does things for the children like making breakfast or reading them a bedtime story, this might trigger an emotional response from your ex, which could stall settlement discussions.
- Happily ever after does not always happen the second time around. Second marriages actually have a higher divorce rate than first marriages and, while the exact cause for this is not known, it is possible that many second marriages do not get the right start they deserve since ex-spouses often do not fully deal with their divorce prior to getting involved in another relationship.
No one can decide for you when it comes to dating during your divorce. You must rely on common sense, your better judgment, and your heart as you move forward.
Massachusetts Divorce Attorneys
Ending a marriage is a difficult decision, but one that is sometimes necessary. At Percy Law Group, PC, we understand this time can be emotionally stressful to endure, which is why it is important to have a family law attorney at your side who understands your situation and will take the proper steps to protect your future. Our Massachusetts family law attorneys are committed to effectively representing those we serve and skillfully helping them navigate the divorce process.
If you are contemplating divorce or have been served with divorce papers, now is the time to obtain the experienced legal assistance you deserve. Even when spouses are in general agreement with one another, there might be one or two contested issues that will require negotiations.
Get started on your case today and contact us at (508) 718-2545 to schedule a consultation with a trusted member of our Massachusetts legal team.