We all know divorce is tough, but what happens when you and your spouse aren’t even tied down to one place? Nowadays, where digital nomads, remote workers, and globe-trotting couples are more common than ever, divorce gets a whole new layer of complications that most people (and frankly, most lawyers) don’t talk about as our Hinsdale, IL collaborative divorce lawyer who has been in the business for over fifteen years knows all too well.
This isn’t your standard suburban divorce. You don’t have the white picket fence, the neighborhood barbecue crew, or even a fixed address. You might have had a relationship fueled by adventure, sunsets on foreign beaches, coworking spaces in Bali, and late-night client calls from whatever AirBnB you called home that month. Now, you’re figuring out how to legally separate when your entire lifestyle doesn’t fit the “normal” mold.
Let’s break down what makes digital nomad and remote worker divorces unique and tricky.
1. Where The Heck Do You Even File?
The first question most people in your situation face is: Where does this divorce even happen?
If you’ve been country-hopping for years or constantly switching states, determining jurisdiction (aka where you can legally file for divorce) is step one, and it’s not always straightforward. Most courts require that at least one spouse has been a legal resident of the state (or country) for a specific amount of time. If neither of you has put down roots anywhere for more than six months, you might be in legal limbo until you pick a place to call home, even temporarily.
2. Dividing Property Gets Weird
Typical divorces split houses, cars, and retirement accounts. With digital nomad divorces, you might be dividing:
- Crypto wallets
- International bank accounts
- Shared AirBnB Superhost accounts
- Frequent flyer miles
- Remote business assets
You might not own a house, but you probably have equipment and gear worth thousands that both of you think should go in your carry-on. Also, don’t underestimate the sentimental value of the things that made your nomad lifestyle work. Sometimes it’s worth more than you realize. Additionally, if you own your own business as a digital nomad, this adds even more complications.
3. Remote Income Adds Another Layer
Many digital nomads and remote workers have complex and international streams of income. Freelance contracts, remote employment with foreign companies, online businesses, or content creation revenue: it all matters.
Who gets what percentage of the passive income streams you built together? Is the online business you launched technically marital property? Are you or your spouse classified as self-employed, a full-time remote employee, or a digital entrepreneur?
Spoiler: The court will care a lot.
4. Custody Gets Even More Complicated
If kids are involved and you’ve raised them in a worldschooling or location-independent lifestyle, custody orders will be challenging.
Where will the kids actually live if both parents don’t plan to stay put? Who decides their schooling when the school has been a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection? Courts often prefer stability for kids, so one parent may need to plant roots whether they want to or not.
5. The Emotional Fallout Hits Differently
Traditional divorces come with pain and adjustment, but nomad divorces often hit harder.
For many couples, the shared adventures were the glue holding things together. Without the next trip to distract you, the reality sets in fast. Plus, your entire identity might be wrapped up in being the couple who travels or the remote-working duo. Untangling that can be grieving.
6. The Good News Is You’re Already Built For Adaptation
Digital nomads and remote workers are built for change. You’ve been to foreign countries, dealt with lost luggage, spotty Wi-Fi, time zone nightmares, and perhaps startup chaos. You know how to pivot.
Divorce is just another (admittedly massive) pivot. With the right legal support instead of DIY options, you can helm the storm of this without losing the spirit of freedom and adventure you’ve always lived by.
If you’re in this situation, don’t trust your life-changing decisions to generic advice or DIY templates you found online. You need real legal guidance tailored to your very non-traditional circumstances.
And no, AI can’t do this one for you either. Contact an attorney at Merel Family Law who has worked with over 5,500 clients in situations just like yours.
