During your divorce, you or your ex – or even both of you – will have to move out of the home you once shared. Finding a new one can be tough, especially when you’re already facing the pressures of the divorce process… but you can’t get around it.
You need to find a new place to live.
Your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer will help you choose the right time to move out of your home. In fact, don’t pack a thing until you’ve discussed all your options with your attorney, because moving could affect your case.
That said, it doesn’t hurt to start searching as soon as you know you’ll have to move.
How to Find a New Home During Divorce
There are several factors that affect your choices when you’re searching for a new home, including:
- Budget
- Comfort
- Location
Any Realtor® can tell you that those things affect everyone who’s moving – but you have a more difficult path ahead because you’re coping with other big changes at the same time.
The good news? You’re not alone. Nearly half of all divorcing people in Chapel Hill are the ones who have to move from their homes, and there are several ways to shop smart when you’re looking.
Tackling Budget Concerns
Once you know how much money you’ll have to spend on a mortgage or on rent, you can start a serious search. Your lawyer might advise you not to add child support or alimony to your budget until you have a court order in your hand; instead, plan your housing budget based on what you – and you alone – bring in.
“Comfortable” Means Many Things
During your divorce, your standard of comfort might be lower than it would be under normal circumstances. You may have to settle for a smaller or older home while you’re getting back on your feet. But don’t lose heart: you can (and will) come out of this situation stronger and more capable than ever before. You can find a better place once you’re settled into your new role.
Location, Location, Location
Before you choose a new neighborhood, double-check with your lawyer; if you have children, you might have to keep them in the same school district to avoid uprooting them.
Your attorney will advise you on moving joint property out of your marital home, so don’t touch anything you’re not sure is yours until you’ve consulted with him or her. The last thing you need during divorce is another headache, so listening to your lawyer is vital to moving out successfully.
