Divorce and Dating: When Can You Start?

Let's assume you have lived with your worthless spouse, "Sluggo," for many years and now you are finally getting a divorce. You can't wait to get started on your new life and maybe meeting "Mr. Right!" When can you start dating again? Can you begin dating after your divorce attorney has filed your divorce documents?

In Georgia, the simple, unequivocal answer is: NO! NO! NO! You cannot, should not, must not begin dating or looking for Mr. Right until AFTER your divorce is final! Filing the documents begins the process; but it takes a final divorce decree to complete it.

Please consult with your divorce lawyer about this question, but, I can tell you that, in Georgia, dating and adultery can have dire consequences for you and your divorce! For example, adultery can operate as a bar to alimony. In addition, if you are engaged in a child custody battle, Sluggo's divorce attorney will probably try to spin evidence of your dating to attempt to show your unfitness as a custodial parent.

The bottom line is that, (at least in Georgia), you should NOT begin dating until AFTER your divorce is final! Look at it this way: You have put up with living with Sluggo for this long; so, surely you can manage not dating for just a little while longer, too!

Beware of Facebook, MySpace, and Dating Websites!

Did you know that divorce lawyers in Georgia are now taught at divorce law seminars to investigate whether or not the opposing party in a divorce has "prematurely" joined a social networking or dating website?! The point is: While you may be a hopeless romantic who is disillusioned with your worthless, good-for-nothing spouse, if you are smart, you will wait on trolling the internet for love or friendship until AFTER your divorce is final!

So many people in Georgia divorces are failing to consider or heed this simple advice. And sadly, they are also failing to consider the potential consequences. For example, if you and your spouse have small children and child custody is an issue, it clearly does not help your custody case if you are "out there" on Facebook describing your weekend of partying, or if you are already on Match.com seeking a new partner!

In addition, please don't ever assume that your spouse does not know your password, or that no one on the internet will know that you are there. These are common mistakes and false assumptions made by divorcing couples.

The bottom line is: Although it is your choice to make, we would urge you to consult with your divorce attorney about your internet activities before your divorce is filed or pending. Divorce attorneys at The Goolsby Law Firm, LLC typically recommend to our Augusta and Martinez clients that they should "live like Mother Teresa" until their divorce is final! Better yet, maybe you should also simply consider avoiding the internet until the judge signs your final decree and you are finally free to find true love! What do you think?