Handling Holidays and Special Events During In-Home Separation

There are very specific rules regarding in-home separation in Virginia. To ensure that the separation is acceptable in the eyes of the court, the separating parties need to keep their lives as individual and separate as possible.

While the parties are generally discouraged from being out together at public gatherings, holidays and their children's birthdays are exceptions to this rule.

Although the separating couple is allowed to attend these functions together, they should follow some guidelines to make sure that that the experience goes smoothly and sticks to the rules of Virginia in-home separation: 

• Keep it civil. These events aren't the time to pick fights or air your dirty laundry. As difficult as it may be, try and appreciate the event for what it is rather than focusing on the state of your marriage. 
• At the same time, don't present yourself as lovebirds. Virginia in-home separation rules dictate that a separated couple not present themselves as a couple. Be truthful about your status. 
• It's not a competition. Don't try to compete for your children's love by one-upping each other with gifts and sweet-talk. Your children love you for who you are and they need your honest support at this time. 
• Try to enjoy yourself. If that means mingling on opposite sides of the room, so be it. Look on the bright side. This is a transitional time and things will even out eventually. 

For more details on in-home separation in Virginia, please visit our article library.  

A Virginia divorce attorney at Hofheimer/Ferrebee can examine the specifics of your case to help you decide how much support to ask for, what child custody arrangement will work best for you and your children, and how to fairly divide your marital assets, as well as advise you on your plans for an in-home separation in Virginia. Request a FREE copy of our guide, What Every Virginia Woman Should Know About Divorce, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar - 757-425-5200.