Most couples who get divorced do not continue living together. As a general rule, they may even separate before the divorce is finalized. This is why understanding the date of separation is so important, as it helps with asset division.
But there are also couples who do get divorced, effectively ending their marriages, and then decide to continue living together in the same home. Why do they do this and what are the benefits?
They Both Get to See the Children
One reason that couples may consider this is simply because they think it gives them a child custody solution that provides equal time with the kids. The children may not want to see either of their parents move out. The parents may agree to get a divorce and live in different parts of the home, but a big enough home can still give them some separation. The children don’t need to be driven back and forth between homes, and the parents don’t have to worry about a complex custody schedule.
Financial Concerns
Another reason that this sometimes happens is simply due to the financial concerns that the couple has after divorce. It’s generally more expensive to live on your own, and people may find that they can’t afford to do so. For instance, maybe they would never qualify for the mortgage on their home on one income, but they only qualified together. They don’t want to refinance the house, but they still need that living space for their children, so they decide to live together and keep the home.
Divorce Isn’t a Romantic Issue
There are also some instances in which people get a divorce because they see some sort of legal or financial benefit, but they still want to be a romantic couple. For instance, one person may become ill and the treatment may be very expensive. The couple could decide to split up so that the debt only goes to the person who is ill and the other individual is no longer obligated to share that debt. But they may still want to be a couple in all but name, and they can continue living together.
Situations like this may be rare, but they can also be very complicated, so anyone involved in a divorce needs to know about their legal options.