6 Things to Know Before Selling the Matrimonial Home During Divorce

By The Graff Group Toronto — Cheryl Graff & Samantha Graff Benmor

Selling a home is always a big decision, but when it’s part of a divorce the process becomes even more complex. Legal, emotional, and financial factors all come into play, and both parties need clear, neutral guidance to navigate the sale successfully.

At The Graff Group Toronto, we specialize in helping divorcing spouses manage the sale of their matrimonial home with professionalism, fairness, and compassion.

Based on our extensive experience, here are 6 key things to know before listing:

1) Understand Your Legal Standing

Before listing the home, it’s important to know where things stand legally:

Do both parties consent to the sale?
Is there a separation agreement or court order guiding the process?
Have the lawyers agreed on how proceeds will be handled?

We often work in collaboration with family lawyers to ensure everything is aligned before moving forward. Google Review: Jessica Brant

2) Decide on Representation Structure

In high-conflict or emotionally charged situations, it’s often best for each spouse to have separate realtors, with both agents collaborating to achieve a neutral, successful sale.

Cheryl and I frequently co-list for this exact reason, bringing two perspectives while ensuring the process remains professional and focused on results.

3) Choose a Neutral Pricing & Marketing Strategy

Setting the right price is critical, but can occasionally become a point of disagreement. You need:

An experienced, neutral realtor who understands current market conditions
A transparent pricing strategy based on facts and data, not emotions

We provide detailed market analysis to help both parties feel confident in the strategy.

4) Set Clear Communication Protocols

Divorces often involve strained communication between spouses. As your agents, we help manage this by:

Acting as intermediaries
Communicating updates to both parties equally
Keeping a clear record of all decisions and approvals

This ensures the process remains smooth and minimizes unnecessary conflict.

5) Prepare the Home Professionally

Even during divorce, the goal is still to maximize the home’s value. We assist with:

Neutral staging and presentation
Addressing any repair or maintenance issues. We strongly recommend a pre home inspection before going to market
Coordinating showings to suit both parties’ schedules

6) Work with Realtors Who Understand Divorce Dynamics

Not every agent is equipped to handle the nuances of a divorce sale. You need a team that:

Knows how to remain neutral and professional
Understands the legal and emotional sensitivities
Has experience working with both lawyers and clients in divorce situations
Prioritizes confidentiality and fairness

This is our specialty at The Graff Group Toronto. We are proud to be a trusted resource for many of Ontario’s top family lawyers, mediators, and financial advisors.

Check out our Google Reviews to see the feedback we receive from clients and referrals!

In Closing: We’re Here to Support You

If you or your client is preparing to sell the matrimonial home, we are here to help guide the process with fairness, clarity, and strategic market expertise.

Cheryl Graff & Samantha Graff Benmor
The Graff Group Toronto: Icons of Real Estate
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📍 Serving the Greater Toronto Area & Beyond