Using online dating apps during divorce can feel mysterious and thrilling, yet it must be done with caution to not ruin your divorce case. “Why should I approach online dating cautiously now that I’m getting divorced?” you may be thinking.
We get it. You are entering a new chapter in your life, but by putting your newly single life up for grabs and out there for everyone to see (including your soon-to-be-ex-spouse and his or her divorce lawyer), you risk turning your divorce into a complex mess full of disputed elements such as property division, child custody, child support, and many more.
After all, going separate ways in an amicable manner is much more preferable than hating each other’s guts, as the latter can add divorce and custody fights and make your divorce more problematic than it should be. “And by jumping back into the dating pool with a splash, you are doing exactly that,” warns our Salt Lake City divorce attorney Emy A. Cordano.
So how to use dating apps during a divorce to avoid all the unnecessary drama and reduce the cost of your divorce (Rule #1: the longer your divorce case goes, the more complicated and expensive it becomes)? This is the question we asked our lawyers today.
5 tips on using dating apps during divorce
With so many dating apps available in 2019, it can be difficult to resist the urge and not download one of those apps while you are married. So, as you can imagine, it’s only a matter of time before you actually sign up on one (or two) of them once your marriage hits the rocks.
It is even more likely that you will resort to dating apps once either you or your spouse file for divorce in Salt Lake City or elsewhere in Utah. But out Salt Lake City divorce attorney advises you to follow a few tips when using dating apps during divorce in order to avoid over complicating things.
- Although divorces can take years to get finalized, many divorce lawyers advise divorcing couples to wait until their case is finalized before beginning to date online. Or at least be very discreet about it, and do not flaunt it in front of your soon-to-be-ex-spouse. After all, the idea of you dating someone else can trigger your spouse and make him or her less cooperative in the divorce. Even if your spouse agrees that a divorce is the right thing to do, the idea of another man or woman dating you, living in your marital home, and communicating with your children can bring quite a few unpredictable feelings and emotions to the surface. So do not play with fire, or be really good at hiding that fire from your spouse during a divorce.
- The worst thing you can do if you decide to play “single and ready to mingle” is to date your spouse’s friends or coworkers. You may be curious to see your spouse’s reaction, but it is definitely not worth it if you consider that your property, assets, children, and many other things are on the line (and a furious spouse is not exactly easy to reach an agreement within a divorce).
- If you are the one living with children during divorce, it might be a good idea to date other people when it’s your spouse’s turn to spend time with the children. “By doing so, you can prevent your spouse from complaining that your love life has a negative impact on your children or that you are not prioritizing your children,” advises our Salt Lake City divorce lawyer Emy A. Cordano.
- Last but not least, if you happen to find out that your spouse is dating someone else during divorce, do not overreact or judge him or her. Treat your spouse the same way you want him/her to treat you. That’s the best way to approach it.
If you do decide to use a dating app, avoid using apps that connect to your social media accounts, and consider apps designed for divorced people. Yes, using dating apps during divorce can quite problematic. Consider consulting with an experienced divorce attorney in Salt Lake City or elsewhere in Utah to find out your legal options. Get a legal consultation by calling at 801-804-5152.