Navigating the Unexpected

It’s not uncommon for spouses to want some peace of mind while going through a separation. One way to do that is by changing locks during a seperation. Often times, when one spouse has already moved out and changed their locks, they don’t tell their soon-to-be ex about it because they are afraid that they will be accused of something negative or start an argument. But this can cause problems later in the process if both people have different keys, which becomes even more complicated with children involved who might have access codes to get into either parent’s locked door at any time of day or night.

The first thing you should do before changing your locks is notify your soon-to-be ex about it, then they can decide whether to change their locks too. It’ll be easier for everyone involved if the lock-change is discussed and agreed upon at an early stage of a separation when there may not even be animosity between spouses yet.

However, wait until you have started divorce proceedings before changing your locks because some states require that both parties sign off on a legal document called “separation agreement” before proceeding with any changes like this one. Changing your locks without telling your soon-to-be ex could cause problems down the line by making them feel unsafe in their own home or worse – cut out from accessing their children’s daycare center or school.

Be sure that you ‘re dealing with a reputable locksmith to avoid being scammed.

Do you know who is going to be on your children’s contact list in case of an emergency? What about the babysitter? If not, it might be time for them to get their own copies so that they can make changes without needing permission from other parents every time there’s something important.