Pros and Cons of Nesting After Divorce

 Posted on September 26, 2018 in Family Law

Nesting is a new trend in divorces. In a nesting agreement, both parents keep the marital home and the children live there at all times. The parents rent an apartment or another space for them to live in when it is not their turn to parent.

During Parent A’s parenting time, Parent A moves into the marital home and Parent B lives in the rented space until it is their turn to spend time with the children. Parent B will move into the marital home when it is time for them to parent while Parent A goes to the rented space.

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of nesting during a divorce.

Nesting Pros

Affordable Housing: By keeping the marital home and renting a small apartment, both parents can save money on housing. It may also eliminate the need for parents to decide whether they would like to keep or sell the home and make it easy for them to determine where to live. An experienced divorce lawyer can sit down with both parents and help them figure out whether this type of arrangement could benefit them financially.

Easier for Teens: Children are typically the most important concern in divorce cases. While young children may be okay with living in two homes and going back and forth to spend time with each parent, teenagers may struggle with this idea. Allowing them to remain in the marital home and stay at the same school while keeping the same friends may make life easier for them.

Nesting Cons

Child Support Complications: Child support can be particularly complicated in nesting divorce cases. It can be a challenge to determine how it is calculated if both parents are still technically living in the marital home. Does it even make sense for child support to be paid in this situation?

Uncertainty on Paying for the Other Residence: It is can also be difficult to figure out who pays for the small apartment or space. Are the rent payments, utilities, and groceries split in half? What happens if both parents sign the lease agreement but one does not pay?

Privacy: This living arrangement can also take away from the privacy of both parents during a divorce. For instance, if one parent decides to date again, will they be able to do so without the other parent finding out and questioning them?

Confusion for Children: Since nesting is such a new divorce trend, it can get confusing for children. Parents need to consider how their children will feel when they see both parents entering and leaving their marital home. Will they understand that there has been a divorce or think parents are still married?

Contact an Experienced DuPage County Divorce Lawyer

If you would like more information about nesting and wondering if this unique arrangement makes sense for your particular situation, contact our highly skilled DuPage County divorce lawyers. Call us at 630-920-8855 today.

Source:

https://divorcedmoms.com/blogs/divorce-warrior/splitting-up-together-shows-us-the-pros-and-cons-of-bird-nesting/