Staying in the Family House

Should I Move Out or Can I Stay in the House?

A divorce sends shock waves through all aspects of a person's life. One of the first and most pressing questions that comes up at the start of the process is "Should I move out or can I keep my house?"

At the law firm of Anne E. Raduns, PA, we understand that this is a life-changing question. We will work with you to make certain that the consequences of your decision are carefully considered. While the family home represents a significant financial and emotional investment, the decisions made about it also have an impact on other aspects of the divorce.

"Should I move out or can I keep my house?" will be one of the first questions you ask us. We're ready to answer it.

Before we provide an answer to the question though, we will take the time to carefully review your situation. Some of the issues we will review include:

The Risk of Domestic Violence

If you believe that you or your child is at risk of domestic violence from your spouse, that will definitely impact the answer to the question "Should I move out or should I stay in the house?" However, you should not feel bullied. If you want to stay in your home, we can help you obtain restraining orders requiring your spouse to move out.

The Impact the House Will Have on Child Custody

Keeping the home provides a familiar place for your children. However, sometimes moving out makes more sense. You may have to move for work reasons, for example.

We will make certain that your goals regarding child custody are carefully balanced with your goals regarding whether or not you should stay in the family home. We're here to look out for your best interests.

Your Ability to Afford the House

While your divorce is pending, we will help you address temporary spousal support and temporary child support, as necessary. Moving forward, it is important to understand how decisions regarding whether or not to keep the family home impact spousal support, child support and property division. We will look at the big picture, including looking at your income and how it relates to the costs of maintaining a household.