One thing that many couples fight over when they divorce is the home they own together. It’s understandable, as this is a high-value item and aside from the financial value, they may have put a lot of hard work into making it a nice place to live.
Yet, fighting for the house is not always worth doing. Here is why:
It can complicate things
If you both want the house and cannot find a civil way to settle it, be aware that battling each other for it in court will cost you both more money, as it will delay the legal process. If you settle things by talking, perhaps with outside help, you can reduce your stress and expense.
The house may not be worth as much as you believe
Maybe you paid a lot of money for the house but the market has dropped since. Or, perhaps you have not realized considerable work is needed to ensure it retains its current value. Alternatively, you may have forgotten to factor the outstanding mortgage into the equation and the true value of your share of the property is far less than the ticket price.
Keeping it could prevent you from moving on
Houses can hold a lot of memories and not everyone will find it easy to go on living in a place they once shared with someone. If you have children, you should also factor them into the equation, as it may be better for them if a particular one of you retains the house.
To assess your situation, consider learning more about all the factors that a court would look at in a divorce, including neither of you keeping it, which can sometimes be the best option for all.
