Helping Your Homeless Former Spouse

[Ed: Originally published on Facebook.]

I had a former client approach me with a somewhat unusual situation: her ex-husband was kicked out of his apartment and had nowhere to go. She knows it’s not her problem, but at the same time she felt some pity for him, and besides she certainly doesn’t want their children’s father to be homeless. So she let him stay with her for a few weeks, until his next apartment is ready, which won’t be until the first of next month.

I advised her to be really, really careful about being clear with him that he is a temporary guest and she expects him to clear out on the date they agreed. I also advised her to consider involving a counselor in a frank and open discussion with the children, so they could ask questions and work out any confusion they might be feeling over the fact that all of a sudden, mom and dad are under the same roof again.