Most psychologists agree that divorce is difficult on children. There are, however, things that parents can do to reduce the stress children may experience, such as choosing mediation instead of a contentious divorce battle.
If you and your former spouse are able to co-parent well, you may want to consider an even more modern trend: living together in the family home after your divorce and until your children are old enough to move out. Research shows that, when successful, this type of living arrangement enables children to maintain strong and regular relationships with both parents and can reduce any feelings of stress and anxiety they experience post-divorce.
Cohabitation after a divorce can also help minimize financial strain. Instead of selling your home and looking for two smaller homes, you and your ex can continue to maintain and invest in a shared household. Typically, this type of arrangement can reduce or even eliminate the need for any child support and formal custody arrangements. You should still, however, create some type of parenting agreement that protects both your and your children’s best interests as there’s no guarantee that your post-divorce cohabitation arrangement will work out.
Factors to consider about post-divorce cohabitation
If you and your ex decide to cohabitate after a divorce, you need to carefully consider and set agreed-upon boundaries for everything from social media usage to dating and overnight visits from new partners. Failing to do so could result in the utter failure of your cohabitation efforts. If you’re trying to do this for your children, you need to set the best possible example by doing everything necessary to ensure that you and your ex are able to effectively and peaceably live together and share your home and children after a divorce.
If you can’t reside in the same home without fighting or regularly suffering emotional breakdowns, then cohabitation probably isn’t a good option. Living with someone that you once shared a deep bond with can be complicated and any lingering or new feelings of resentment will only create a hostile and negative environment for everyone. In the long run, it’s more important that you and your ex be emotionally stable than for you to live in the same house.
An attorney is important no matter what kind of divorce you pursue
Whether you and your former spouse are hoping to live together and share custody after your divorce or are fighting for every minute of parenting time, you need the help and advice of an experienced attorney. A family law and divorce attorney can ensure that you are legally and financially protected, no matter how your divorce proceeds.