Many people who are divorced look for love online. A recent survey says that more than 4 out of 10 divorced adults have tried an online dating app or site. But online dating after divorce is not as easy as liking someone online. You need to know some legal things and good things that can happen when you date online after divorce.
This blog post talks about the legal stuff that can come up when you date online after divorce.
Legal Landmines in the Swipe Zone: Protecting Your Heart (and Bank Account)
Online dating after divorce can be fun and rewarding, but you also need to watch out for some legal traps. Before you swipe right on your next match, here are some legal tips to keep your heart and your wallet safe:
Prenuptial Agreements:
If you are thinking of tying the knot again after divorce, you may want to sign a prenup with your new partner. A prenup is a legal document that says how you will split your money and stuff if you break up or die. It can help you avoid fights and problems in the future.
A good prenup can also cover some things that have to do with online dating, such as:
- Online assets: Make sure you agree on who owns and gets what online assets, like websites, blogs, social media accounts, or digital money if you divorce.
- Digital accounts: Decide on who can use and manage what digital accounts, like email, cloud storage, streaming services, or online subscriptions.
- Potential income changes: Discuss how online activities that change your income, like starting a business, launching a product, or becoming an influencer, will affect alimony and child support payments.
A prenup can help you protect yourself and your online assets and accounts. But a prenup is not something you can write by yourself. You need to talk to a Fairfax divorce lawyer who can help you make a solid prenup that follows the law.
Custody and Shared Parenting
If you have children from your previous marriage, you need to be careful about how your online dating affects your custody and shared parenting arrangements. Online dating can create some potential conflicts between you and your ex-spouse, such as:
Introducing New Partners:
If you want to introduce your kids to your new partner, get permission from your ex, and make sure it’s good for your kids. Think about when, how often, and how long you introduce them, considering how they feel and cope.
Co-Parenting Communication:
When co-parenting, be nice and work well with your ex. Don’t tell them about your online dating unless it matters for your kids’ well-being. Don’t make things worse or angry, focusing on a peaceful co-parenting situation. Talking to a Fairfax divorce lawyer can help you deal with these tricky matters with care and law.
Legal Advantages of Online Dating
Online dating after divorce can also offer some legal benefits for you and your new partner. Here are some of the legal advantages that you can enjoy from online dating:
Transparency and Disclosure
Online dating profiles can tell you a lot about potential partners, like their work and education, their likes and dislikes, their dreams and values, and what they want from a relationship.
This information can help you find out if you are a good match with potential partners, and avoid wasting time and energy on bad matches. It can also help you avoid legal problems caused by lying or cheating online.
Communication and Documentation
Another perk of online dating is that you can talk and keep track of your interactions with potential partners through digital means. Digital communication can include texts, emails, calls, video chats, social media posts, and online messages.
If you agree or plan anything with potential partners, like money matters, travel plans, or living together, digital documentation can show what you agreed on and prevent any fights or confusion.
The Bottom Line
Online dating after divorce can be exciting, but don’t forget, that love needs legal guidance. By making prenups important, being careful with introductions, and getting help from good Fairfax divorce lawyers, you can start your online search for a second happy ending, one based on love, honesty, and lasting safety.