Do I have to sell my house in a divorce?

While selling the family home is a common outcome in divorce, it is not mandatory, nor is it the only available option. Another option is for one spouse to buy out, or offset the other’s share without the need for a sale. An offset could be against another valuable asset such as a pension or another property.

Alternatively, both spouses could decide to continue to co-own the house, and agree to sell the property at a later date such as when the property reaches a certain value, or when the children leave home and smaller properties would meet both party’s housing needs.