Article published on Divorce Amicably
In this article, I explain how to determine who keeps the family home when a marriage ends — and why there’s no automatic right for one spouse to simply stay in the house.
I walk through the advantages and drawbacks of staying in the home. On the plus side: it can provide stability for children, reduce moving‑stress, and maintain a familiar community. But I also highlight the risks: taking on a sole mortgage, upkeep and upkeep costs, and being “house rich but cash poor”.
I present common mistakes to avoid — chiefly, allowing emotion to dominate the decision. I emphasise seeing the house as a business‑asset: need to assess future affordability, retirement implications, and alternative assets you may have to give up to keep it.
Whether you’re hoping to buy out your ex, sell the home and split equity, or defer the sale (e.g., so a parent stays until children finish school), this article gives the strategic questions you need to ask yourself — not just about sentiment, but about the realistic financial outcome. If you’re facing the house question in your divorce, this piece will help you frame the decision carefully, with both heart and head.