Typically, when one spouse moves out of the marital residence, the remaining spouse is granted or agrees to have “exclusive use and possession” of the marital residence. In plain terms, this means one spouse stays in the home while the other moves out.
In most cases, the spouse who remains in the marital residence is responsible for the maintenance, upkeep, and payment of the mortgage or rent, real estate taxes, and other household expenses. This is because it is understood that the spouse who moves out will have their own expenses associated with establishing a new residence.
However, in some cases, the spouse who moves out may still be responsible for paying household expenses if there is a financial need. Often, the spouse who moves out may be ordered to pay spousal support to the spouse who remains, which acts as a kind of subsidy rather than a direct payment of household expenses.
Each case can vary, but this is typically how it works.