During a divorce, arguments can heat up quickly. In fact, they can heat up so quickly that one party is often blindsided and doesn’t have time to think things through or realize what’s happening—but that’s the worst possible time to make a snap decision. If your spouse tries to throw you out of the house, whether or not you’re in the middle of an argument, there are a few things you need to know.
Call Your Chapel Hill Divorce Lawyer Immediately
Don’t wait until you’ve packed an overnight bag and headed to a local hotel. Call your lawyer before you move a muscle. They will be able to give you on-the-spot advice that will help protect your rights under North Carolina law.
The only exception: if your partner becomes violent, call the police and get to a safe place (and bring your children, if you have them). Domestic violence is a serious crime, and you do not deserve to become a victim. Once you’ve notified the authorities, call your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer to determine your next step.
Can My Spouse Kick Me Out?
Only your attorney can provide you with legal advice, so it’s a good idea to ask whether or not your partner can throw you out of your own house before it becomes an issue. In most cases, your spouse telling you to leave doesn’t mean that you have to—or that you should, for that matter.
What if My Partner Tells me to Leave the House?
If your spouse orders you out of the house, your Chapel Hill divorce lawyer may advise you to try to diffuse the situation. As with most disagreements during divorce, the best thing to do is to stay calm; don’t fan the flames by becoming visibly angry, shaken or upset.
Try standard conflict resolution techniques to calm them down and buy yourself some time before things spiral out of control. Many people effectively deal with heated arguments by:
- Listening. Don’t try to interject or defend yourself until your partner has had their say.
- Finding out if there’s a better solution for them. Ask your spouse if they can help you come up with another idea that will benefit them more; you might suggest—nicely—that working together to resolve this issue will work in their favor in the long run.
- Walking away. If your spouse will not calm down and become rational, walk away from the argument and ask if you can discuss it when you’re both thinking clearly.
Keep Your Divorce Lawyer in the Know
When your spouse tries to throw you out, even if you’ve diffused the situation and moved on, you need to tell your lawyer. You don’t have to make a 3 a.m. phone call if you’re out of the woods, but do it as soon as possible. That way, they can arm you with the knowledge you need if it happens again.
