How using storage during divorce can help couples

Divorce is a difficult time in anyone’s life. Whether it is peaceful or not, divorce is a new and scary situation with many unknowns. It is not just emotionally draining but also a physically exhausting situation. How do you get around emptying an entire house filled with shared belongings and memories? This is where storage can be of immense help. To help you during this trying period in your life, we at Zippy Shell Moving and Storage DMV have compiled a helpful list of tips on how using storage during divorce can help couples get through it somewhat more easily.

Go through the belongings together as calmly as possible

Divorce is one of the 4 Ds of life. If you are going through a divorce, know you are not alone. In the US alone, there is one divorce every 36 seconds. This comes up to about 876,000 divorces every year. Even though the average age of couples going through a divorce is 30 years old, this event can come at any time in our lives. And, it is not easy, no matter how old we are or how long we were married. It is an emotionally trying time. What is more, if things ended badly, then that can only add to the difficulties.

Still, not all couples go through a messy divorce. Some separations are mutual, and the couples can complete the process calmly and amicably. Of course, this is the preferable option, and if you are lucky enough to be going through this challenging time amicably, then make the best of it. Try to sort through shared belongings together and divide them amongst yourselves in a way you both see fit. While you are dividing your possessions, consider placing some items into storage for safekeeping. Also, you will be able to sort everything more easily by placing things into storage as it will leave more room in the home.

You don’t have to do this on your own, you can hire movers and use their loading & unloading services. Professionals know how to properly handle your items and move them to the unit of your choice.

Make a neutral space for shared possessions

When sorting through possessions, you can create a neutral zone for shared items. When going through a divorce, most couples stop living together and usually one person ends up moving out. The other usually remains in the home for the time being. After moving out, couples usually no longer feel at ease with occupying the same space. So, you may not feel comfortable returning to the former house to get the rest of your belongings. That is why you should try to work out a solution that suits both parties. Finding reliable storage in Northern Virginia could be invaluable at this time.

A storage unit will be a great location for your belongings for the time being. This way, both parties can access the shared items without having to meet, if that is the agreement. Try to make arrangements for the storage unit with which you will both be comfortable. Get a unit that will be near both homes and find one that fits the needs of both parties. Also, set a storage time limit and discuss whether the unit will be vacated after a period of time or if it will remain in use by one of the spouses.

Avoid making multiple trips when transporting your belongings

There is nothing worse than being constantly reminded of a painful period in our life. At this time, all we want to do is deal with it so we can get past it as fast as we can. And revisiting the old home that is full of now painful memories is not going to help. So, try to get your things out as quickly as possible. One way to do this is to get everything out and place it into storage for the time being. By renting local storage in Northern Virginia, you can get things out faster and you will have easy access to them when they are close to your new home.

When getting your things out of the old home and putting them into storage, it is important to try to stay organized. Of course, divorce is a hard time and the last thing you want to worry about are boxes and storage units. However, you can make the best of a bad situation and use this situation to your advantage. By focusing on other things such as packing and getting things into storage, you will divert your attention and thoughts, even for a short period of time. Also, by avoiding making multiple trips to the old home, you will spend less time thinking about the painful situation.

Create a list of items that are going into storage during divorce

For all shared items that are going into storage, it is a good idea to create a list. Each party should get a copy of the list for reference. You should also keep a copy of the list in the storage unit. There, it can be used as a sign-out sheet. When a party removes something from the storage unit, they can mark it on the list. There is no need to communicate with the other party in this way. While you are making the list, remember to take photos of the items to document their condition as they go into storage.

If you have any valuable items that are shared, such as art or jewelry, get them appraised. If you are storing valuable items, you should always get insurance. Insure both the items and the storage unit to protect anything that goes in. Later on, when you divide the items, there may be some disagreements on who gets to keep what. In that case, you may want to consider selling the items in question and sharing the proceeds equally.

If you are using storage during divorce, keep your things safe

As we have already briefly mentioned, you should make sure your valuable items are safe by getting insurance. If you are using storage during divorce, there are some other things you can do to keep your things secure while they are in storage. When looking for a storage unit, confirm with the company that the site is safe and that there are guards or security cameras. Also, inquire about who will have access to the unit, besides you. What is more, you should make sure the storage units are not prone to flooding or other types of weather damage.

A good solution for keeping your things safe and having easy access to them is by renting portable storage Northern VA. A portable storage unit can be used to store smaller items, such as small pieces of furniture, boxes of clothes, and important documents. The portable storage unit can be kept on-site, and you will be able to monitor it to make sure it is safe. You can easily move things in and out of a portable storage unit, which can be of great help while you are moving things out of the old home and into your new one.

Leave the past behind so you can get used to your new life after the divorce

Living together with someone means you will have shared things. Those things carry memories that could end up being painful after going through a divorce. So, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get rid of things that carry painful reminders of what was. This will greatly help you get a fresh start after the divorce is finalized. Also, it will create space in your life for new memories.

While you are getting rid of unwanted things, consider getting a climate controlled storage Northern Virginia. Many of the things you choose to get rid of will probably be in good condition. So, you may wish to consider donating or selling them. Still, you may not be able to do so right away, so you may want to keep them stored until you feel okay with parting with them. Also, the process of packing up your former life will not be an easy one. This is where a safe storage unit will come in handy. You can set your own pace and you can have your privacy while you deal with the items one by one.

Downsize to create space for new items and memories

As we have already mentioned, you may wish to leave behind things that bring up memories of the past. Still, there is another benefit to downsizing after a divorce. If you are moving to a new home post-divorce, then you may wish to move fewer items as it will greatly help you. Moving fewer things will be both faster and cheaper. Downsizing will have a positive effect on both your finances and your post-divorce life. You can donate things, or you can sell them and use the money towards your new life.

While you are downsizing, you may wish to consider renting one of the onsite storage units. It will be very useful as you can easily move boxes out of your home as soon as you fill them up. There will be no need to make multiple trips to a storage unit, so you will save both time and money. You can keep the things in storage while you decide what to do with them. Also, you will not have to see boxes inside your home, as they can be constant reminders of your past life. Instead, you will declutter your home, and that can have a great positive effect.

Figure out the right size of storage unit you will need while using storage during divorce

Regardless of whether you are moving out of the family home or not, you will probably need a storage unit during the divorce. If you are the one who is staying, then you will probably want to get rid of some items and declutter your home. Also, if you are the one who is moving out, you will need a temporary space for your things while you arrange for new accommodations. There are different sizes of storage units available, and you should make sure to get the right one for you. Getting a storage unit that ends up too small means you will need to move your things to a bigger one or rent two units. And getting a unit that is too big means you will end up paying for space that you will not use.

Different types of units

Depending on the number and volume of things you will be storing, you can choose from a few common sizes of units:

• 5×5 – This type of unit can hold small furniture or other items.
• 5×10 – This unit is about the same size as a walk-in closet. You can use it to hold slightly larger furniture such as a sofa, mattress, or boxes.
• 10×10 – This unit is much bigger. You can place the contents of an entire one-bedroom apartment inside.
• 10×30 – This unit is the same size as a standard one-car garage. This unit can hold all items from a two-bedroom home, including a car.

These are the most common sizes of storage units. When choosing residential onsite storage containers, keep in mind the number and type of things you will be storing. If you are still in doubt, feel free to contact the facility. A member of the staff will be happy to help you choose the right size of storage that suits your needs. 

Things get better with time

We understand that divorce is a trying time in anyone’s life. It is a painful process that will take some time and effort. While using storage during divorce can help you stay organized, it will not make the actual process of going through a divorce any easier. Still, every little bit helps, and getting organized is the first step to getting your life back on track. Make sure you give yourself enough time to deal with the divorce and remember that better things are in store for you in the future.