There is no general rule about waiting to remarry after you divorce.  Each marriage is different, the reasons leading up to the divorce vary greatly, each divorce is different.  For many, it takes a while to rediscover who they are after divorcing.  When married, many people look at the world through the eyes of a couple – forever including their spouse’s point of view in decision-making.  This inclusion is to the exclusion of “self”.  Rediscovering yourself can be very rewarding after divorce, and it is an opportunity that should not be missed.

Is There Waiting Period To Remarry After Divorce?

Technically, your divorce is not “final” until 30 days after the judgment is entered. This is so because each spouse has 30 days to file an appeal after the judgment of divorce is entered.

When Can You Date?

Generally speaking, it is best to wait until you are divorced before you start dating, unless you have a signed separation agreement.  I say this because your spouse may get mighty angry if you start dating before that.  When one spouse is angry at the other, often times it spills over into the divorce process and adds a lot of drama, destruction, time and cost.  Unless there is a separation agreement or and agreement regarding dating with your spouse, it is best to wait to date until after the divorce.  That said, most judges don’t really care if a spouse is dating after the parties separate. There is little to no consequence.  The only time dating may effect the outcome of your divorce (alimony and monetary aware) is if the dating contributed to the demise of the marriage.

What To Do Before Remarrying?

It is a brilliant idea to get a prenuptial agreement to protect yourself and your assets.

Prenuptial Agreements can be made to

  • Protect your property and preserve your right to bequeath your property as you like, free from control of your spouse.  A spouse is entitled to 50% of you estate if you die – with or without a will.  The only way to protect this 50% of the estate from your spouse is through a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement.
  • Protect your retirement and other assets
  • Prevent any future claim of alimony
  • Protect ownership of your home
  • Simplify the divorce process if the marriage fails

Consult An Experienced Divorce Attorney

Knowing all the pros and cons of the divorce process is essential before getting separated. You need to contact an experienced attorney to make sure that everything is done properly. At the law offices of Paré & Associates (formerly the Law Office of Alice Paré), we have been helping clients in Germantown, Gaithersburg, Clarksburg, and throughout Montgomery County and the state of Maryland for more than thirty (30) years. Our practice areas include family law, divorce, domestic violence, child custody, bankruptcy, and personal injury.