Divorce and Sharing the Family Home~ 2 min read

Some couples choose to live in the same home or rotate in and out, both during and even after their divorce.  Many couples make this decision to maintain stability for their children. This arrangement, sometimes called nesting or bird nesting, can work short-term, but requires careful planning and strong communication.

Why Some Couples Share the Home During Divorce

You may be considering staying in the same house with your spouse during your divorce or taking turns living there while your children remain in place. This setup can help keep your children in a familiar environment and avoid the need for sudden housing changes.

Sometimes this arrangement happens because families wish to maintain stability for the children, the house cannot be sold right away, or one of you needs time to access other funds. In some cases, it may be a temporary solution until a long-term plan is reached.

Short-Term Can Be Helpful, Long-Term Can Be Risky

If you are using Mediation or Collaborative Divorce, this type of shared arrangement may be easier to manage. Those processes support open communication and include professionals who help you work through details like scheduling, bills, and household boundaries.

However, if your case is in litigation, sharing the home can create more stress. Without good communication and trust, things can escalate. Some people end up going through each other’s belongings or monitoring each other’s actions, which adds to the conflict and can impact your case.

Long-term shared living can also become difficult after the divorce is finalized. Questions about who pays for repairs, what happens if something is damaged, and how new relationships are handled can lead to tension and unnecessary conflict.

Nesting May Work in Limited Situations

In a nesting setup, your children stay in the family home while you and your spouse rotate in and out. While this can help children feel more stable, it often only works for a short period. It requires two places for the parents to stay when they are not in the home, and that can be expensive. If the agreement is not carefully structured, misunderstandings and disputes can arise.

Contact Family Ally

At Family Ally, we help you explore housing and parenting options that reflect your family’s goals and resources. If you are considering staying in the same home during divorce, we can guide you through the practical and legal considerations. Contact Jennifer Piper at 314-449-9800 to schedule a consultation and take the next step toward a solution that works for you and your family.

Family Ally is located at 130 S. Bemiston Ave., Suite 608, St. Louis, MO 63105.