Divorce is a stressful time when people may be in particular need of emotional support and company. The entire process can easily take a year or more, during which spouses may feel cut off from their communities and overall lonely. If they meet someone new while the divorce is in progress, spouses who are still technically married may consider starting a new relationship. After all, the divorce is already underway, which is a clear sign that the marriage is over.
Is it legal, reasonable and appropriate to date during a Wisconsin divorce?
Dating during divorce is legal
First and foremost, those considering a new relationship while a divorce is still underway need to understand that a new dating relationship is not illegal. However, dating while a divorce is not yet complete can lead to practical complications.
First and foremost, there is the consideration of how the choice might affect a judge’s decisions during divorce. While Wisconsin is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that misconduct does not affect final rulings, a judge’s perspective of the spouses can have a major impact on financial matters and child custody arrangements. A judge may question an individual’s decision-making if they begin dating before a divorce is final, especially if there are children in the family.
Additionally, dating before the divorce is over can easily lead to heightened levels of conflict between spouses. A spouse who was previously receptive to settling may become much angrier and combative when they learn about a new relationship. There are also the practical challenges of balancing the stress of divorce with a new relationship and possibly shared custody.
Those who do decide to date during divorce generally want to be careful about establishing a clear timeline to defray concerns about adultery. They may want to hold off on making their new relationship social media official, at least temporarily. The circumstances surrounding both the marital relationship and the pending divorce influence how to navigate a new relationship as an old one ends.
People often need help understanding the risks and consequences of the choices they make during a divorce. Discussing concerns with a divorce attorney can help those contemplating dating or starting something new avoid the most common pitfalls associated with overlapping the beginning of a new relationship with the end of a marriage.