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Are You Filing for Divorce? When Should You Sell Your House, Then?


— April 21, 2023

If you want to avoid all the property-related stress after the divorce, the best time to sell your co-ownership house can be before you file for separation.


Couples file for divorce when their marriage life goes beyond the repairable stage. It’s their last resort to breathe free, whether they separate amicably or not. Unfortunately, even this separation process is complex. The growing distance or the bitterness between you two can spoil your decision-making. Think of a shared home property, for instance. Couples often get into property tussles on their way to exiting their relationship for good. Their emotions prevent them from making sound decisions. Here is a quick look at scenarios elaborating on what happens when you sell your house pre- or post-divorce. 

Why should you sell a house before divorce?

If you need quick cash by selling your house before the divorce, agencies like Christopher Ellyn Homes can help. You can get rid of the unnecessary hassle associated with marital property. If you decide to sell during or after the proceedings, you and your partner might have to submit documents to the respective attorneys for review. They will charge hourly fees for this. Esteemed attorneys say couples can avoid this hassle by selling their homes before the divorce. The money can remain under legal supervision. You can clear the mortgage and don’t have to worry about the borrower’s indemnification.

Scrabble tiles spelling out “Mortgage” on a light wooden background; image by Preconodo CA, via Unsplash.com.
Scrabble tiles spelling out “Mortgage” on a light wooden background; image by Preconodo CA, via Unsplash.com.

However, you should remain legally married if you opt for the sell-first strategy. After the paperwork, you can pursue your respective paths. Still, it’s better to consult the real estate agency once if your partner also agrees to sell the house for cash. Remember, selling it before a divorce will free you from home and mortgage expenses. You can dodge issues like foreclosures, due taxes, and others arising from ongoing divorce proceedings. As the cash is in, both parties can move on to their single life after the legalities are over. Your emotions attached to the house and the memories will also release, relieving your burden. Your capital gains taxes may reduce. 

However, all these benefits can be accessible if you sell the house for cash instead of going for a listing. Otherwise, your divorce will get delayed. So, keep this thing in mind.

What happens when you sell the property after divorce?

 Some believe selling a co-owned house after divorce allows you, your kids, and other family members to better adjust to the new situation. You get more time to work on your relocation move. On the downside, holding to home after divorce will keep you stuck with your ex and unnecessary emotions. As co-owners, you both will foot different expenses even after separation. These include mortgage, energy bills, maintenance, sudden repairs, etc. You will split property taxes and any interest tax credit charges. If it’s contentious, your ex can create trouble in a property sale. Your relationship will get murkier, and your urgent needs may have to wait for fulfillment due to a cash crunch says Chiang Rai Times.

If you want to avoid all the property-related stress after the divorce, the best time to sell your co-ownership house can be before you file for separation. Get your partner on the same page to make things faster. Also, you can seek immediate sales opportunities to make cash rather than wait for a listing.

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