After your divorce is finalized, you will likely put yourself out there again and try to find love. If you are also receiving spousal support, however, you may be wondering if your dating life may impact these payments. Although simply dating again will not have any influence on your ability to receive spousal support, if a new relationship becomes serious, it may have some consequences.
Spousal Support and Dating
Dating is a normal part of moving forward after divorce. After all, no one expects you to stay single forever and opening yourself up to love is a great way to heal relational wounds. However, you may want to take it slow when it comes to taking the next step in your relationship. Living with your new partner, which is also referred to as cohabitation, can impact your spousal support payments, reducing the amount you receive. Therefore, it is important to think twice before moving in with your new partner.
In California, courts view cohabitation as proof of a recipient’s reduced need for financial support and, as a result, may reduce or eliminate it altogether.
Before the court reduces or terminates spousal support, the following must be proven:
- You and your new partner are in a romantic relationship
- You and your new partner live together
There are many ways to prove these points, including a co-signed title, a rental agreement, or a shared bank account. Other pieces of evidence that can support reduced spousal support is an engagement or the birth of a new child.
If you move to another state, with your new partner, you will still be subjected to California’s cohabitation law and you may even have to adhere to the cohabitation laws of the state you move to, so keep in mind that these rules cannot be avoided.
Schedule a Case Evaluation with One of Our Family Law Attorneys Today!
If you have concerns about losing out on your spousal support payments because of a new relationship, do not hesitate to reach out to the legal team at Family Law San Diego for the skilled help you need. We understand how important it is for you to receive these payments and will do what we can to assist you with your case. Backed by more than 200 years of combined experience, you can feel confident in our ability to represent you.
Call our law office today at (619) 577-4900 to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys to get started on your case!
