Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates

Salt Lake City – Ogden – Lehi

Kristopher K. Greenwood & Associates

Salt Lake City – Ogden – Lehi

We Fight To Win

Experienced Divorce and Family Law Attorneys Serving All of Utah

“For Sale — getting divorced”: some agents’ specialty

On Behalf of | Apr 3, 2013 | Divorce

In some divorce cases in Ogden, one spouse moves out of the house while the other continues to live in it. However, often it becomes too difficult to afford the home when only one paycheck suddenly is responsible for the mortgage payments. In those cases, the couple will probably try to sell the home and add the proceeds to the marital assets to be divided between them.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for homes for sale to be on the market because of divorce. In fact, it happens often enough that some real estate agents specialize in divorce sales.

Those who frequently work with divorcing couples to help sell their property say that the process can be very different than other home sales. While some divorces are amicable, many couples’ relationships have deteriorated to the point that they are unable to be in the same room together. Thus, when the agent wants to meet with his or her clients, he or she must schedule separate meetings.

Then there are open houses and showings to potential buyers. When buyers find out that the sellers are getting divorced, they think they will get a discount because the couple is desperate to sell. To make it less obvious that divorce is behind the sale, many agents will hang up extra clothing in the closet to hide the fact that one spouse has moved out.

In extreme cases, couples will continue to live in the home together but in separate quarters — separated by interior locked doors or even temporary walls. One agent recalled having to conduct showings in phases.

Hopefully, the house is eventually sold, severing one more bond keeping the couple from moving on with their lives.

Source: The New York Times, “After the Breakup, They Help Sell the House,” Elizabeth A Harris, April 1, 2013

  • To learn more about divorce law in Utah, please visit our divorce page.

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