Can you start dating before your Colorado divorce is final?

You stayed married far longer than you should have, and you’re glad that you’re finally almost free. Your divorce is on the horizon, and you’ve met someone new.

Is it wise, however, to start dating before your divorce is officially over? It depends. Here are a few things you may want to consider.

Colorado is a no-fault divorce state

Technically, you’re still married until the ink is dry on your divorce papers, so engaging in an intimate relationship with someone other than your spouse is a form of adultery. That doesn’t matter a bit, however, when it comes to your divorce.

Colorado’s laws don’t really care why your marriage fell apart, so your involvement with someone else after your separation won’t necessarily be an issue in your divorce.

You may still antagonize your spouse

Moving on with someone new before the negotiations over your alimony and child support or custody agreement is over could still be unwise.

If your spouse feels particularly vengeful and wounded over the fact that you’re already seeing someone else, it could make it much harder to move through those all-important negotiations. Any chance you had of gaining their cooperation may be lost.

Your relationship may factor into your custody case

If you are in a dispute with your ex about custody, be particularly cautious about starting a new relationship right now.

While dating someone doesn’t make you a bad parent, your ex may say that you’re exposing the children to someone untrustworthy, you’re destabilizing their environment by bringing them around someone new so soon or simply aren’t a devoted parent.

Talk to your attorney about your options

Ultimately, every situation is a little different. If you’re unsure how dating someone could affect your divorce, it’s smarter to talk things over with an attorney before you start.