{"id":351725,"date":"2026-02-11T12:55:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T17:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/divorce\/can-i-legally-stay-in-my-house-during-a-divorce.html"},"modified":"2026-07-10T14:50:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T19:50:29","slug":"can-i-legally-stay-in-my-house-during-a-divorce","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/can-i-legally-stay-in-my-house-during-a-divorce.html","title":{"rendered":"Can I Legally Stay in My House During a Divorce?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n<div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\"><h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Can I Legally Stay in My House During a Divorce?<\/h1>\n\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/jordan-walker-j-d\/\">Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            July 10, 2026\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-key-takeaways fl-mb30\" data-testid=\"fl-key-takeaways\">\n    <div class=\"fl-card-content\">\n        <div class=\"fl-card-body fl-card-bg-teal fl-flex fl-flex-column\">\n                            <h2 class=\"fl-card-title fl-h2 fl-no-margin\">Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n                        <p>Divorces can get messy quickly. It is common for one spouse to not want to share a space with the other. If your name is on the title, you likely have a legal right to stay in your home during the divorce.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div><p>This article covers:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#WhoStays\">Who Gets to Stay in the House During a Divorce?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Before\">Can You Move Out Before the Divorce Is Finalized?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Kids\">Who Stays in the Home When You Have Kids?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Extreme\">Who Keeps the House During Extreme Circumstances Like a Pandemic?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Selling\">After Divorce: Should You Sell Your House?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#ProsCons\">Pros and Cons to Staying in Your Home During Divorce<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#AttorneyorAgent\">Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer or Real Estate Agent?<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Risks, Traps, and Hidden Complexities of Leaving Home During Divorce<\/li>\n<li>Moving Out Without a Lawyer: Risks for Future Child Custody Arrangements<\/li>\n<li>Moving Out Without a Lawyer: Risks for Child Support and Costs<\/li>\n<li>Moving Out Without a Lawyer: Mortgage Liability Can Exist Even if You Move Out<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"WhoStays\"><\/a>Who Gets to Stay in the House During a Divorce?<\/h2>\n<p>From a legal perspective, if both your names are\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/realestate\/buying-a-home\/what-does-title-mean.html\">on the title<\/a>, you both have equal rights to be in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/dictionary.findlaw.com\/definition\/property.html#:~:text=the%20true%20owner.-,marital%20property,-%3A%20property%20acquired\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marital home<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Note: If your case involves\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/domestic-violence\/domestic-violence-laws.html\">domestic violence<\/a>, you can get a court order to ban your spouse from being in or near the house. You would need to file for a restraining order or an order of protection with your local court.<\/p>\n<p>This article focuses on married couples seeking a divorce, but you still have rights if you are an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/living-together\/cohabitation-and-property.html\">unmarried couple sharing property rights<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Who Is on the House Title?<\/h2>\n<p>Typically, both spouses are on the house title. But there are situations where the title lists only one spouse&#8217;s name. Does that spouse automatically get to stay in the home? Not necessarily.<\/p>\n<p>In\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/community-property-overview.html\">community property<\/a>\u00a0states like California, for example, any property bought during the marriage is jointly owned regardless of the name on the title. Similarly, in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/equitable-distribution.html\">equitable distribution<\/a>\u00a0states, a spouse&#8217;s contribution to the mortgage during a marriage could give them an interest, as could any work they did on the home.<\/p>\n<p>If you purchased your home before the marriage and did not add your spouse to the title, you may have a stronger legal argument to stay in the home. A divorcing couple probably isn&#8217;t going out of their way to be kind to each other. So, it is rare to have a spouse stay in the home when they aren&#8217;t on the title.<\/p>\n<p>In amicable divorces and separations, the decision is between you and your soon-to-be-ex partner. If you have children, the situation may be handled differently (read more below).<\/p>\n<h2>Are Both Your Names on the Title?<\/h2>\n<p>If you both bought the house or added one person&#8217;s name to the title later, you both have equal rights. It is common for one spouse to offer a buyout of the remaining mortgage.<\/p>\n<p>If money is a concern, you have options to keep the house after your ex leaves. You can seek spousal support or refinancing to help you afford the home.<\/p>\n<p>If both of you are okay with selling the house, states will divide it according to laws on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/divorce-property-division-faq.html\">property division<\/a>. Marital property is usually divided 50\/50 of the house&#8217;s selling price (or 50\/50 of the debt) if you live in a community property state.<\/p>\n<p>If you live in a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/marriage\/common-law-marriages.html\">common law\u00a0<\/a>or equitable distribution state, a judge will review a number of factors to determine what is fair, including what each spouse contributed (home improvements, etc.).<\/p>\n<h2>Staying in Your House During Divorce<\/h2>\n<p>There are some advantages to staying in your home during the divorce process. It might:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Provide stability for your children<\/li>\n<li>Give you one less thing to worry about during divorce proceedings<\/li>\n<li>Give other family members (like a live-in grandparent) time to find a new home<\/li>\n<li>Buy you time to have an appraisal on the value of the home and find a real estate agent before selling the home<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are also common downsides to staying in your home instead of renting an apartment or using a long-stay hotel. You might face:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Difficulty affording mortgage payments alone<\/li>\n<li>Emotional pain (common if one spouse was cheating or filed for divorce suddenly)<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty managing the house&#8217;s upkeep<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><a id=\"Before\"><\/a>Can I Move Out of My House Before Divorce?<\/h2>\n<p>Yes, you can move out whenever you want. If your name is on the title for the home, however, you are financially responsible for it.<\/p>\n<p>Some exes may want to stop paying their mortgage if they move out. Keep in mind that your own finances and credit will take a hit if you do this, and your ex may be able to take you to court.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&gt;&gt; It is easy for an unrepresented person to be financially ruined by their house or ex-partner. Hidden pitfalls during divorce and moving out can be avoided with the help of a divorce attorney. Local ordinances can also change the nuances of the laws. If you are feeling out of your depth about your move-out or ex-home, a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/?keyword=Divorce?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">free conversation with an attorney can uncover your risks<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><a id=\"Kids\"><\/a>Who Stays in the House When You Have Kids?<\/h2>\n<p>Whether any minor children live in the house can change who stays in it. Most judges will provide a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/family-court-decisions-temporary-orders.html\">temporary order<\/a>\u00a0during the divorce process that says the kids should not leave the house, and the parent most fit to care for them stays in the house.<\/p>\n<p>This does not mean you have settled your child custody issues. Your divorce attorney will handle\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody.html\">child custody<\/a>\u00a0and any\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support.html\">child support<\/a>\u00a0or parenting time issues during the divorce case. But if you need immediate relief and one spouse needs to leave the house, there are options.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"Extreme\"><\/a>Who Keeps the House During Extreme Circumstances?<\/h2>\n<p>If you are looking to <a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.findlaw.com\/law_and_life\/2020\/03\/getting-a-divorce-during-the-covid-19-pandemic.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">divorce during a national emergency<\/a> and are worried about leaving your home or being made to leave, you may have legal protections.<\/p>\n<p>Laws and emergency orders can limit when you can be removed from your home, but in many cases a court can still order someone to move out, especially for safety reasons. A spouse usually needs a court order to get exclusive possession of the home when both spouses have a right to live there.<\/p>\n<p>A divorce attorney experienced in\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family.html\">family law<\/a>\u00a0can help get a temporary order to keep you safe at home until deciding on the divorce settlement.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"Selling\"><\/a>After a Divorce: Should You Sell the House?<\/h2>\n<p>If you get the house in the division of property, you can still choose to sell it after the divorce is final. But should you sell it, or should you keep it?<\/p>\n<p>Once your attorney completes their job in the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/settlement-agreements-and-court-approval.html\">divorce settlement<\/a>, a real estate agent and financial advisor can help you make the right decision about selling your house.<\/p>\n<p>Below are the pros and cons of selling a house after a divorce.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"ProsCons\"><\/a>Pros of Selling the House After the Divorce<\/h2>\n<p>The option of selling your home might depend on the housing market in your city, but it can be a good option in most cities. It allows you to step back and pick the right house for your needs and your budget instead of getting stuck with your current home&#8217;s problems.<\/p>\n<p>It is advisable to get the home inspected as part of the divorce\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/divorce-property-division-faq.html\">property division<\/a>\u00a0process so you know what issues you need to deal with before selling.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other pros to selling your house include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Picking something smaller or more affordable<\/li>\n<li>Paying less in taxes<\/li>\n<li>A fresh start in a new home or location<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Finances are always a concern when keeping a home on one income. Keeping your house might not be right for you if:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You are not the partner who did home repairs, general upkeep, and yard maintenance. Remember: keeping your house in great shape is key if you eventually want to sell.<\/li>\n<li>You expect new problems will come up, such as knowing your roof is starting to leak and could be a high cost.<\/li>\n<li>You cannot handle taxes, repairs, and utility bills.<\/li>\n<li>You have painful memories in the home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You also might get stuck giving up other valuable assets to keep your home. Will you need to put less into your 401(k) or trade in your retirement accounts just to afford to keep your home? It can be difficult, but it is essential to look at the long-term future even if you are very attached to your home.<\/p>\n<h2>Cons of Selling the House After the Divorce<\/h2>\n<p>It is important to keep in mind that sellers lose a chunk of money every time they sell a home. Your real estate agent and the title company (and attorney if your state laws say an attorney must review all documents) will all have fees.<\/p>\n<p>These closing costs are substantial and range from $15,000 to $25,000. You need to consider if selling makes financial sense for you.<\/p>\n<p>Probably the biggest factor in keeping your home vs. selling it is stability. If you have children, they won&#8217;t need to leave friends in the neighborhood or change schools. It can also be nice to keep the memories in the home alive and not uproot children into a new home, even if it is nearby.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Keeping your house after a divorce might be right for you if:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your kids are attached to the house<\/li>\n<li>You can afford the mortgage and bills on your own (with some help from alimony or child support)<\/li>\n<li>The house is partly paid off<\/li>\n<li>You and your ex want to try &#8220;nesting&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Nesting as a Parenting Theory<\/h2>\n<p>&#8220;Nesting&#8221; is a newer theory where kids stay in the house full time, and the parents switch off their time there. This involves paying for the house and separate property for both parents, so it isn&#8217;t always an ideal or even possible option.<\/p>\n<p>However nesting can work well for amicable exes that might both want to live with new partners, or who aren&#8217;t ready to make a decision about the house just yet. It can also work well if there are babies in the house or a kid is leaving for college soon. Keeping things as normal as possible for your kids is often the ideal.<\/p>\n<h2><a id=\"AttorneyorAgent\"><\/a>Who Do I Need More: A Divorce Attorney or a Real Estate Agent?<\/h2>\n<p>You will eventually need both. But first, you will want to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">review some divorce attorneys<\/a>\u00a0and form an attorney-client relationship with one. They will provide legal advice on your financial situation and your legal rights under family law and divorce law.<\/p>\n<p>If you determine selling the house is the best financial choice, then you should contact a real estate agent to start the process. If you are comfortable explaining the divorce situation, they can understand the timeline, the asking price you need, and who needs to sign the selling paperwork.<\/p>\n<p>No matter what you decide to do with your house, it is essential to have clear language explaining it in a legal document. Whether you sell now or later, or your ex takes the house, or you sell when your youngest child moves out, you want the deal to be clear and not give you any trouble in the future.<\/p>\n<h2>Risks, Traps, and Hidden Complexities of Leaving Home During Divorce<\/h2>\n<div>Knowing the rules about living in your home after a divorce is important, but looking out for your own best interests matters just as much. Without an attorney, you could hurt your finances, make things harder for your children, or create more legal problems with your ex.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>There are serious risks, possible traps set by the other parent, and many details that only a lawyer might notice. It\u2019s wise to learn about the issues listed below.<\/div>\n<h2>Moving Out Without a Lawyer: Risks for Future Child Custody Arrangements<\/h2>\n<div>Family law judges usually want children to stay at home and maintain their usual routines. This can mean one parent moves out to keep things calm during the divorce. However, moving out, even for a short time, can be risky.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>If there isn\u2019t a court order explaining the move-out, the parent who leaves will need to start a new routine. Courts might start to see the parent who stays as the main caregiver. Later, the parent who left could have to fight for equal custody.<\/div>\n<h2>Moving Out Without a Lawyer: Risks for Child Support and Costs<\/h2>\n<div>The partner who left the home can be ordered to pay child support or pay the mortgage &#8212; even when not living in the home. This can be debilitating for some people on top of their new rent or new mortgage.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>Marital income (often from a joint bank account) used to pay the mortgage can also become complex. Money spent on a home remodel illustrates how the home and its value have become a \u201chybrid\u201d property.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/?keyword=Divorce?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forensic analysis and the assistance of an attorney<\/a> are needed to calculate the exact amount of homeownership between the divorcing couple. Refinancing or offering to buy out your ex-partner are risky if not done correctly.<\/div>\n<h2>Moving Out Without a Lawyer: Mortgage Liability Exists Even if You Move Out<\/h2>\n<div>Partners have the option to sign a \u201cQuitclaim deed\u201d to remove their name from the house title. But this doesn\u2019t always remove them from responsibility or liability for the mortgage.<\/div>\n<div>\u00a0<\/div>\n<div>Your credit can be destroyed by the partner who stays at home and doesn&#8217;t make payments on time. A real estate agent can sell the house for a divorcing couple. Only a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/?keyword=Divorce?fli=dcta\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">divorce attorney<\/a> can legally strip your name from any debt and future liability. Taking steps to prevent an ex-spouse from ruining your credit is a smart move.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 22 22\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n                    <g id=\"thumbs-up\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_604_3418)\">\n                        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class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\" tabindex=\"0\">Why was this not helpful?<\/legend>\n                    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message\" role=\"status\">\n                        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__choose-option-message-text\"><\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Missing Information\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--missing-info\"\n                        >Missing the information I need<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Too complicated\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--complicated\"\n                        >Too complicated \/ too many steps<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Out of date\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--dated\"\n                        >Out of date<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"fl-radio-button-field fl-flex was-this-helpful__feedback-form-title\">\n                        <input\n                                id=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-input\"\n                                type=\"radio\"\n                                name=\"negative-feedback\"\n                                value=\"Other\"\n                        >\n                        <label\n                                class=\"fl-radio-button-field-label fl-text-sm was-this-helpful__radio-label\"\n                                for=\"was-this-helpful__radio-button--negative-other\"\n                        >Other<\/label>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/fieldset>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"was-this-helpful__form-buttons-container\">\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--positive at-feedback-submit fl-button secondary\"\n                    type=\"submit\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Submit<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <button\n                    class=\"was-this-helpful__feedback-button was-this-helpful__feedback-button--cancel fl-button primary disabled\"\n                    type=\"reset\"\n                >\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Cancel<\/span>\n                    <i\n                        class=\"fa fa-times-circle medium\"\n                        aria-hidden=\"true\"\n                    ><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message\" role=\"status\">\n        <i class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-icon fa fa-check\"><\/i>\n        <p class=\"was-this-helpful__thank-you-message-text\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"fl-section-sidebar\"><div class=\"fl-editors-summary\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content\">\n                    <h2>Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?<\/h2>\n                <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-main\">\n            \n        <\/div>\n        <ul class=\"fl-list-style-none\">\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    You may not need an attorney for a simple divorce with uncontested issues\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Legal advice is critical to protect your interests in a contested divorce\n\n                <\/li>\n                            <li data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-item\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-check medium fl-editors-summary-content-item-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    Divorce lawyers can help secure fair custody\/visitation, support, and property division\n\n                <\/li>\n                    <\/ul>\n                    <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-description\">\n                <p>An attorney is a skilled advocate during negotiations and court proceedings. Many attorneys offer free consultations.<\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link fl-flex\" data-testid=\"fl-editors-summary-content-link\">\n                <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <p class=\"find-attorney\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/#USER_GEO\/?fli=esum:FL24\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Find a local attorney<\/a><\/p>\n\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"email-subscription fl-mb30\">\n    <div class=\"email-subscription-header\">\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-content\">\n            <h3 class=\"fl-callout-sm fl-no-margin\">Stay Up-to-Date With How the Law Affects Your Life<\/h3>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"email-subscription-header-image fl-flex fl-items-end\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\"\n                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rel=\"noopener\">Learn more about FindLaw\u2019s newsletters<\/a>, including our terms of use and privacy policy.<\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"general-list\">\n    <h3>Helpful Links<\/h3>\n    <ul class=\"fl-list fl-no-margin\">\n                                    <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce.html\">\n                        Divorce Overview\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/marriage.html\">\n                        Marriage Overview\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                                                <li class=\"fl-list-item fl-flex\">\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                    <a class=\"fl-list-item-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support.html\">\n                        Child Support Overview\n                    <\/a>\n                <\/li>\n                        <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n    <div class=\"popularDirectory\">\n        <div class=\"general-popular-directory \">\n            <div class=\"general-popular-directory-title\">\n                <h3>Attorney Directory<\/h3>\n            <\/div>\n            <ul>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/divorce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Divorce Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/family-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/child-support\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Child Support Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/same-sex\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Same Sex Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/fathers-rights\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Father&#8217;s Rights Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/adoption\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Adoption Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                                    <li><a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/custody-visitation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Custody and Visitation Lawyers<\/a><\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"actionImageCard aem-GridColumn aem-GridColumn--default--12\">\n    <div class=\"fl-image-card\">\n                <div class=\"fl-image-card__content\">\n            <div class=\"action-card-layout\">\n                <h2 class=\"action-card-layout__heading\">\n                    Don&#8217;t Forget About Estate Planning\n                <\/h2>\n                <div class=\"action-card-layout__content fl-text-lg\">\n                    <p>Divorce is an ideal time to review your beneficiary designations on life insurance, bank accounts, and retirement accounts. You need to change your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/forms\/estate-planning.html\" title=\"DIY Forms\">estate planning forms<\/a>&nbsp;to reflect any new choices about your personal representative and beneficiaries. You can change your power of attorney if you named your ex-spouse as your agent. Also, change your health care directive to remove them from making your health care decisions.<\/p>\n\n                <\/div>\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/forms\/estate-planning.html\" class=\"action-card-layout__button fl-button fl-link-button secondary\">\n                    <span class=\"fl-button-content\">Start Planning<\/span>\n                    <i class=\"fa fa-angle-right medium\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who stays in the house during divorce has many factors \u2014 and not all of them are in your control. FindLaw covers what you need to know about staying in, selling, or keeping your house during a divorce, and after the dust settles.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":41135,"featured_media":0,"parent":351716,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"app\/Http\/Controllers\/Templates\/ArticleWithBreadcrumbsController.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","_autodraft_ids":[],"_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_sb_is_suggestion_mode":false,"_sb_show_suggestion_boards":false,"_sb_show_comment_boards":false,"_sb_suggestion_history":"","_sb_update_block_changes":"","_is_real_time_mode":false,"_realtime_collaborators":"","footnotes":"","cf_checklist_status":["SEO Title Length","External Links","Alt Text for All Images","Category Assigned"]},"categories":[2730],"tags":[],"state_laws_tags":[],"flmsa":[],"class_list":["post-351725","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-family"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41135"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=351725"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":401623,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351725\/revisions\/401623"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/351716"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=351725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=351725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=351725"},{"taxonomy":"state_laws_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/state_laws_tags?post=351725"},{"taxonomy":"flmsa","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/law-api\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/flmsa?post=351725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}