There is no particular law in Florida that restricts you from dating someone during divorce proceedings. However, it can add a layer of complexity. If yours is a contentious case, it may have an impact on your alimony, time-sharing schedule (formerly known as child custody) and property division. Here is what you need to know.
Impact on property division
Dating someone may not impact property division automatically. Under Florida’s equitable distribution law, marital assets must be divided fairly between spouses. Problem may arise if your spouse comes up with proof that shows you are using marital funds for your dating. In which case, the court may offset those costs by assigning an equivalent share of your property to your spouse.
Impact of time-sharing schedule
Dating can have consequential effects on your time-sharing schedules, especially if you introduce your new companion to the child too soon. Since judges prioritize a child’s best interest in Florida divorce cases, they can be wary of things that might impact the child negatively. Accepting a new companion can be hard for a child and affect their emotional stability. Hence, you should be extra cautious before you establish a contact between your child and new companion.
Impact on alimony
The court calculates your alimony based on your current financial situation. If you start living with your new companion, the court might assume that your financial situation has improved and reduce your spousal support if you were the non-earning spouse.
Why legal guide matters
Even simple divorce cases can snowball into a contentious one if not managed properly. When there is a lot at stake, you have to be wary about every step you take. With the help of legal guides experienced in divorce cases, you may be able to navigate this issue by avoiding potential legal problems.
