Nc laws dating during separation

Absolutely nothing is stated in North Carolina law to prevent someone who is separated from dating whomever they please. Dating while separated is not a criminal act. A more educated answer and the careful answer to this dating question depends on the facts, as outlined in the various scenarios below. Scenario One If you have children and are planning to expose the children to someone you intend to date, you should be sure this person has the character and moral qualities of someone you are willing to have around your children.

Clients frequently are anxious when determining whether separation is the right move for them and their children. After you have legally separated you are free to date as if you are not married. Your spouse does not have a say in whether or who you date. Third party claims such as alienation of affection and criminal conversation cannot be filed solely due to post-separation acts. However, post-separation dating can impact you in the following ways so beware if:.

A separation agreement or other written document is not required to be legally separated in North Carolina. To be considered separated from your spouse, you need to be living in different homes, and at least one of you needs to intend that the separation be permanent. In general, you are not legally separated if your relationship has ended but you still live in the same home, or if you live in separate homes without the intent to be permanently separated for example, for work purposes. A separation agreement is a private contract between spouses who are separated or plan to separate very soon. A separation agreement includes agreed-upon terms dealing with various issues related to the separation, such as which spouse is responsible for certain bills, whether one person will continue to live in the marital home, or where the children will live.

The separation is under way. While this may sound like a good idea, there are several problems to consider. Dating can have both personal and legal consequences that can be harmful to your divorce action. Under North Carolina General Statute , a couple must be separated for one year before a divorce is final. Even though separated, you are still technically married until the court enters the order granting the divorce.