It may indeed be true that home is where the heart is. Perhaps your heart resides squarely in the home that you and your spouse have resided in over the course of your marriage. If financial necessity, procedural necessity or a fundamental disagreement as to which spouse should remain in the house after your divorce is threatening your ability to reside in that home, you may understandably feel frightened, frustrated or even devastated.
We frequently write about the importance of processing any negative emotions or grief that you may be struggling with during divorce. By processing your emotions and grief in healthy ways, you will place yourself in the best position possible to obtain a fair divorce settlement and to move positively into your future. This same logic applies to the grief process associated with losing a marital home or fear of losing a marital home.
Facing the possibility of being displaced from the home you cherish and rely upon can be one of the most stressful experiences one can weather. Yet, processing this situation is often necessary and can have some benefits. When dealing with this situation, you may find yourself refining and focusing your priorities. You may also discover strength that you were previously unaware that you possess.
There is likely little one can say that can truly ease the challenges of potentially losing your marital home. However, seeking guidance from your attorney, seeking support from loved ones and seeking to process your emotions in healthy ways can help to ensure that you emerge from this experience stronger, healthier and more self-aware than ever before.
Source: The Huffington Post, “What It’s Like To Lose Your Marital Home,” Laura Lifshitz, April 6, 2015