The Perils of Dating Before You Divorce

At Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C., we understand how much our clients want to enjoy their freedom. Many have waited far too long to dissolve their marriages and get on with life. However, we still believe that is the proper sequence: first, dissolve your marriage; then, get on with your life. Living as though you were already single could complicate and delay your divorce.

Dating might seem like the pleasant distraction you need. But it’s usually better to wait until the ink is dry on your divorce decree. If you must date, do it discreetly. Here are a few points to remember:

• Dating someone during divorce could antagonize your soon-to-be ex. Even if your ex swears that she or he never wants to see you again, seeing you with someone else could be devastating. Too many divorces are delayed due to a spouse’s vindictiveness; it’s not worth stirring up negative emotions.
• Seeing you with someone else could stress out your children. You may have moved on emotionally, but your children haven’t. This is new for them and they need time to adjust. Plus, your behavior with a new love interest in front of them could come back to haunt you in a custody fight.
• Rebound relationships can be dicey. If you haven’t processed the loss of your marriage, you may bring a ton of emotional baggage to the next relationship. The divorce process is meant to give you closure, which can certainly help you prepare for your next partner.

During your divorce, it’s often much better to spend time with trusted friends, individually or in a group. But that’s not always practical. If you’re divorcing because of a new love interest, putting that new relationship on ice could cause unnecessary strain. Maybe you’ve been lonely so long you need warmth and companionship.

At Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C., we understand the urgency of concluding your divorce and getting on with your life. That’s why Long Island’s largest and busiest divorce and family law firm delivers aggressive litigation to get your divorce done on the best terms possible.