Real estate can become a contentious issue in divorce, especially if the home is your family home. You may argue that you want to keep your children in the home, but your spouse might argue that selling your property is more beneficial to everyone involved.

There isn’t always an easy answer when it comes to deciding on what to do with the marital home, but if your children are involved, there are some things to consider before you sell.

First, you need to think about the ages of your kids. Will they benefit from staying in the marital home, or are they too young to notice a distinct change? Do your kids have a preference? Some children like to change where they’re living, especially if they’ve come to associate the family home with stress or unhappiness.

The next thing to consider is whether you can afford to maintain the home on your own or not. If you’re seeking to keep the property but may not be able to afford it, then it’s probably best to sell, even if it means giving up the only home your child has known.

The first step to knowing what the better path is will be to have your home valued. Knowing what it’s worth and the potential profits you could make from a sale could help you decide if moving or staying where you are and negotiating for the home is the right choice for you. Your attorney can help you negotiate if you want to keep the home after gathering all the information.