Once you decide to divorce, you can look forward to a new future apart. Yet, before that can happen, you need to survive the present.
That entails deciding where to live while the divorce is ongoing. You may decide that one of you should move out. Yet, there are several reasons you might both prefer to stay living in the same house.
For example:
- You both intend to try and claim the house and do not want to be seen ceding ground
- You would rather not spend money on extra accommodation
- You think it will provide stability for your children
- You fear moving out may jeopardize your custody claim
How easy or difficult co-habiting during divorce is will vary from couple to couple. In some cases, the problems may come from the temptation to fall into bed together for old times’ sake. In others, it could be how to co-exist without every moment turning into an argument.
If violence is an issue, then clearly living apart will be safer. If safety is not an issue, here are some things to make sharing the same roof easier:
Be clear about money
The last thing you need is arguments over money. Consider setting a joint fund aside or defining a set amount that each will contribute to cover the mortgage, bills, food and so on.
Define your private spaces
This will be easier if you have a large house, but even in a smaller one, there are ways to give yourself the privacy and space from each other that you need.
You do not want to co-habit any longer than necessary. Getting legal help to handle your divorce will allow you to go your separate ways sooner.