Is Nesting Right For Your Situation?
Traditionally, when couples decide on divorce, one spouse leaves the marital home, and the other remains in the home with the children. However, this arrangement does not work for everyone. As an alternative, some families take the nesting approach. With nesting, the children remain in the home permanently, and the parents rotate time in and out of the home. As you might imagine, this unique situation presents both positives and negatives.
Homelife Consistency
One positive of nesting is that it provides a level of homelife consistency for the children involved in the divorce. While the attention is often focused on the couple, children of divorcing parents also feel the effects of the separation in every aspect of their lives. While there is only one parent in the home at a time, the familiarity of being in their existing home does add a sense of normalcy and can bring the children comfort.
Financial Implications
Divorcing couples should always review their finances before making this decision. In addition to the cost of maintaining the family home, each parent will also have the additional cost of maintaining a separate residence. Additionally, each person will also have to somewhat blend their finances in terms of caring for the shared home. If you want a complete separation after divorce, this situation may not allow for that.
Custodial Agreements
There may be a smoother transition into a custodial agreement with this option. Often, the contention in reaching these agreements rests on the fear that one parent will get more time with the children than the other. With this shared living arrangement, of sorts, there is more balance and a greater opportunity for hands-on co-parenting. As a result, it is often easier for both parties to reach an agreement.
Joint Ownership
Should a couple decide to continue with the nesting practice post the divorce settlement, it is essential to have an attorney involved in the matter. During this period, the home will likely remain a joint asset, rather than be awarded to either spouse. For this reason, it is important to ensure that this record is legally maintained so that once the ex-couple decides to get rid of the home, such as when the children reach a certain age, the process will be smooth, and everyone will have their fair share.
Divorce is a unique situation in that different circumstances affect each person differently. Before you jump into any decision, it is always helpful to sit down and speak with an attorney for further guidance.
Reach out to a divorce lawyer to learn more.
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