Moving Out of the House After Divorce
If one thing is certain, it’s that divorce is never easy. Even if you and your partner agree that it’s the most logical next step, it is still a very emotional process that causes stress and takes a lot of your time and energy. Once everything is completed, another stressful event is waiting for you – moving out of the house after divorce. Whether you are moving alone or your kids are coming with you, it is a significant change that you need to prepare for. But don’t worry – if you follow the steps we’ve listed below, you’ll go through this process much quicker and easier. But, most importantly, you’ll be feeling less stressed and more optimistic about this new chapter of your life.
Finalizing your divorce
It’s very difficult to have an easy divorce, even if it was a joint decision with no objection from any side. When you finally reach the final steps of the process, you will feel a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders.
If you make a rash decision and move out unannounced before discussing it with your spouse, it can have negative consequences for you.
Even though you’re at the last phase of your divorce, make sure not to move out before it’s finalized but instead wait for everything to be fully completed. Moving unannounced and without talking to your soon-to-be ex-spouse can cause a lot of tension.
But, the most important reason not to move out before you’re officially divorced is that, legally, it will be considered that you’re abandoning your family. If you are going through a messy divorce, the other side can take advantage of it and use it to obtain your house, kids, and more.
Moving out of the house after divorce
So it’s official – you are divorced now, and it’s time to move out of the house. Even though you knew this step was coming, it can still get quite emotional and overwhelming. Therefore, we’ve prepared steps to make moving out of the house after divorce as easy as possible for you.
Check your finances
The first thing to do is assess your financial situation and find good ways to manage your post-divorce budget. If you are not good with numbers, consider consulting with a financial advisor. As you’ll be moving to a new place, you need to know for sure how much you can afford on housing. Make sure to do your research and find a property that fits your budget.
Determining your budget is very important before moving out of the house after divorce. If finances are not your strong suit, consider consulting a financial advisor.
Besides housing, you should also take your moving expenses into account. You’ll be transferring all of your belongings, so the best way to go is to hire a moving company. How much movers charge differs from one company to another. Many of them charge per hour, so the more things you have, the more time it will take them to move everything. Therefore, make sure to get an estimate of your moving costs and follow guidelines for creating a budget.
Create an inventory list and declutter
After your divorce is finalized, make sure to start creating an inventory of your things. If you are not sure about ownership of certain items, discuss it with your ex-spouse. Be prepared that tense situations can happen and if it comes to that, refer to the court’s decision.
Moving out of the house after divorce gives you a great excuse to declutter, too. Downsizing your belongings will make the move to your new place that much easier. Therefore, make sure to go through all of your things and sort them into three piles:
- Keep – Make sure to only hold on to things that you really need and know you’ll use.
- Get rid of – Throw away all the things that can’t be used anymore. Also, as you want to make your fresh start as easy as possible, consider getting rid of sentimental items that are tied to your ex-spouse. You don’t want to get emotional and sad while going through your old pictures or reading love letters from the period you were happily in love.
- Give or sell – Among your things, you’ll probably find some that can still be used but that you no longer need or want. You can give, sell, or donate them.
Find a new place
After you’ve created your budget and sorted your belongings, it’s time to look for a new place. If you are moving on your own, you might want to consider downsizing after divorce. It’s a great way to save money as well as lower your environmental footprint. You won’t need as much space as you used to anyway.
Make sure to hire a good real estate agent as they’ll be able to find a property that fits your needs as well as your budget.
If your kids are moving with you, it’s important to find a place with enough space for everyone. Also, depending on their age, you will need to look for a place that’s close enough to their school. As this will be a massive change for your kids, consider staying close to your old neighborhood, too. That way, it will be easier for them to see their other parent as well as their old friends.
Pack and get moving
The final step in this process is to pack all of your belongings and contact the moving company to schedule your relocation. Packing your things might sound like a tiring activity, but given that you’ve decluttered, it will be that much easier.
The golden rule of packing is to pack nonessential items first and essentials last. The things you’ll need immediate access to, such as toiletries, medications, and some clothes, you should keep in a personal bag. While packing, make sure to label the boxes and make unpacking easier.
On a moving day, the most important thing is to try and stay calm and not let your emotions get the best of you. Remember, divorce was the best decision for everyone involved, and only better things are waiting for you.
Start fresh and be happy
We hope we were able to make moving out of the house after divorce easier for you. Although it’s not easy, embrace this change and make sure to make the most of your life’s new chapter. We’re sure that happiness is waiting for you just around the corner!
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