FacebookTwitterLinkedInInstagram
714 740 1160

Dating during divorce can affect child custody issues

By |2022-04-04T17:05:17+00:0019 Mar 2014|Categories: Alimony, Child Support, Custody, Dispute, Family Law, Property Division, Spousal Support|

Dating during divorce can affect child custody issues

On behalf of The Law Offices of Dorie A. Rogers, APC posted in Family Law on Wednesday, March 19, 2014.

When Orange County, California, residents talk about legal issues involving family, they often refer to divorce, which is the most common family law issue. Many people consider divorce a complex process involving different issues, such as property division, alimony or spousal support and if children are involved, child support and child custody issues are likely to arise.

People currently in the middle of the divorce process or those who just signed a divorce agreement, may be wondering if dating or overnight guests are a bad idea immediately following a divorce; the answer is yes. Dating or cohabitating is normal adult behavior but it can affect the divorce process and even damage the child-parent relationship, already fragile from the divorce.

Children, regardless of age, do understand the concept of sex. When a new person comes into the house as a parental love interest, children might already have an idea about what is happening. Seeing their mother or father with someone else in their home can be traumatizing for children whose parents recently separated.

If dating turns into cohabitating, it may legally effect existing child custody arrangements. For example, if the cohabitating parent does not disclose the new living arrangement with the other parent and the children spend time with this new love interest, the other parent may be angry once he or she finds out about the change. This anger can refuel another child custody dispute that was thought to be settled.

The best legal advice is to be patient and wait for the right time to date or cohabitate. Questions regarding family law issues and other related concerns can be addressed to a Riverside County attorney. Child custody issues can be settled through mediation to avoid litigation. Child custody agreements must always benefit the best interests of the child for the best possible outcome of the divorce.

Source: Huffington Post, “How overnight dates could seriously damage your custody case,” Lenore Skonal, Mar. 10, 2014

About the Author:

Dorie Anne Rogers - The Law Offices of Dorie A. Rogers, APC
Dorie A. Rogers, a Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California, has been an attorney since 1981 with an exclusive family law practice located in Orange County. She is accepting dissolution cases with support and property issues including the use of forensics to ascertain business value, community interests and to establish monthly case flow analysis. Ms. Rogers has substantial experience in high conflict custody litigation involving sophisticated psychological issues. She drafts premarital and postmarital agreement designed to define and establish parties' separate and community property interests. Paternity cases and domestic violence matters are considered part of her practice. Ms. Rogers is a court-approved and court-appointed to represent minor children.Ms. Rogers consults with individuals concerned about entering or exiting a relationship. She advises effective strategies for dissolution or premarital planning. Knowledge is power and good planning affords better results.Specialties: Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California

3200 Bristol Street, Suite 500
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

714 740 1160

Go to Top