Cohabitation after Divorce: A Work in Progress for Financially Strapped Former Couples

 Posted on April 22, 2016 in Family Law

Good Morning America (GMA), a daily morning television news broadcast and member of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) family, recently visited this very subject.n When interviewing a recently divorced Chicago couple with four children, the GMA team found that this type of living arrangement is not as peculiar as one may believe. GMA also reported that many divorce attorneys are finding this to be a new trend among recently divorced couples as a means to ward off further financial hardship often associated with a recent divorce.

Family therapists agree, but warns couples that strong ground rules first need to be established, and offer the following advice to couples facing this unconventional living arrangement.

Make Emily Post Proud

The reason for the divorce is you did not get along. Therapists suggest making your mother and Ms. Post proud by practicing civility. Although your respect of your “housemate” may be in the lower register, maintain a level of respect and consideration when it comes to the daily responsibilities of a functional household.

Calculate the Budget

As financial issues remain one of the highest contributing factors to divorce, it is important for couples cohabitating post-divorce to discuss and determine who will be responsible for which expense. If incomes are similar, one suggestion is splitting the expenses in half, but if one ex-spouse is struggling, further negotiation may be required.

Maintain Steadfast Romantic Rule

Nothing could be more humiliating than catching your former spouse romancing a date in your own home. Setting boundaries early in the game cohabitating post-divorce couples can maintain a level of discretion.

Leave the Past in the Past

It is often easy to fall back into old habits and often when a ex-spouse is feeling vulnerable he or she may turn to their former partner for comfort. If you need a cuddle, buy a teddy bear and leave your ex out of the equation.

Develop a New Attitude

Even if cohabitating post-divorce, remember that this type of living arrangement thwarts the natural healing progression of divorce. Although it may seem easy to stay within the comfort zone, it is important for individuals to emotionally move past the divorce with the hopes that the financial situation will soon also improve.

It is remarkable how divorce has evolved since its surge in the late 1970s and decade of the eighties. As divorce strategies and contributing factors change, so must the approach taken by divorce attorneys. Here at Martoccio & Martoccio, our dedicated Hinsdale divorce attorneys understand the complexity of emotions as well as the sensitive legal issues that may arise. If you and your spouse are entertaining cohabitation post-divorce, our legal team is available not only to handle the divorce proceedings but can also assist with establishing the legal ground rules through an applicable post-nuptial agreement. Contact our offices at 630-920-8855 for your free consultation today.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/story?id=6913228&page=1

http://emilypost.com/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bari-zell-weinberger-esq/house-rules-5-tips-to-bei_b_1571722.html