Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites make staying connected with friends easier than ever. They also make it easy to peek in on old flames and for them to peek in on you. If you’ve recently changed your status from “Married” to “It’s Complicated” or “Single,” you’ll need to know how rekindling an old romance can affect your divorce.
Only your Raleigh divorce lawyer can give you legal advice that pertains to your situation, including whether or not dating will affect spousal support, child custody or other aspects of your case.
What Your Raleigh Divorce Lawyer Might Advise
Your Raleigh divorce lawyer will probably tell you it’s a bad idea to start dating before you’re officially divorced. Bringing a new significant other into the picture can seriously complicate your case in several ways, including confusing your kids and affecting the way your marital property gets divided.
Of course, simply reconnecting with an old flame doesn’t necessarily lead to dating—but if your ex thinks you’re seeing someone, even if he or she is way off-base, it can lead to big trouble. Jealousy, anger and resentment can stop your ex from cooperating with you during the divorce process. That can force you to ask a judge to decide what happens to your property and what type of custody agreement you’ll have to accept. Your Raleigh divorce lawyer might advise you to keep your social media profiles private and keep any connections you make under wraps (even if they’re completely innocent) until your divorce is final.
How to Tactfully Steer Clear
If an old flame tries to reconnect with you during your divorce, it’s probably safest to put him or her on ice for a while. You can gradually develop a friendship, but starting it off on the right foot can save you a lot of hassle later.
Let your old love interest know that you’re going through a divorce and you’d like to keep it as simple as possible. You can say that you’re focusing on your kids, that you want to avoid conflict with your soon-to-be ex and that your Raleigh divorce lawyer advised you to avoid giving your ex the impression that you might be dating. Most people will understand where you’re coming from—and if they don’t, they might not be the kind of person you want to be part of your new life when your divorce is over.
