Divorce is never fun, and it’s rarely ever easy. If you’re one of the almost 700,000 Americans dissolving their marriage each year, you’ll need to work your way through an often complex, emotional process. A part of that process involves moving things. 

For instance, you may find yourself moving into a smaller place. It may take a while to divide your shared things (marital assets) with your ex, leaving your possessions in limbo. During this difficult transitional period, self storage solutions can be a useful tool to help you manage your belongings and give you some breathing space until you get back on your feet. 

Why Self Storage Solutions Are Helpful During Divorce

For many people, divorce means a big change in their living situation. Maybe your spouse wants to keep the house, or you both decide to sell and split the proceeds as part of your settlement. Either way, storage solutions can be a huge help during this period, especially if you’re not ready to put down roots in a new place right away. 

It’s common for newly separated spouses to move in with family or friends for a short period or to rent a small, temporary place until all the divorce dust settles. In this event, storage solutions give you a place to securely keep the majority of your possessions until you’re ready to find a more permanent place. 

Think of a move into storage as an interim step in your divorce journey. You may not have the time, focus, or emotional energy to manage all your possessions in a move. Instead of making hasty decisions, renting a storage unit can help you focus on your immediate priorities, such as legal proceedings, financial adjustments, and your emotional well-being.

What Items Typically Require Storage During a Divorce?

While storing items between moves is one of the most common uses of self storage solutions during a divorce, it’s not the only situation in which storage might come in handy during your split. 

Shared Possessions Awaiting Division

Most of the things you and your spouse bought during your marriage (i.e., furniture, appliances, and household items) are considered “marital property” and need to be inventoried and divided as part of your divorce settlement. Keeping your shared possessions in a neutral storage unit can prevent disputes about an item’s condition or whereabouts during negotiations. 

Sentimental Items and Important Documents

Your divorce may require you to sort through emotionally charged possessions, like family photos, heirlooms, or memorabilia. If you’re not ready to go there quite yet, self storage solutions can provide a safe haven for these irreplaceable things until you are. 

Similarly, you can also store important financial records, tax documents, and legal papers related to your divorce in a storage unit until you can securely organize and store them in your new home. 

Your Separate Property

Property laws can get complex in divorce proceedings. Generally, however, if you purchased something before the marriage or received a gift or inheritance during the marriage, those items belong solely to you and aren’t considered marital property. (Always check with a legal expert, though!) During the divorce process, it may be helpful to move your separate property into a storage unit to keep it out of the fray or to help clarify what is or isn’t marital property. 

Choosing the Right Storage Solution for Your Needs

If you’ve decided that a move into storage is a good call during your divorce, you’ll still need to do a little research and planning to make sure you rent the right storage unit for your needs. Divorce is expensive enough. There’s no need to spend more on storage than you need to.

Pick the Right Unit Size

Choosing the right storage unit size can be trickier than it seems. Pick a unit that’s too small, and you’ll suddenly realize your beloved antique couch doesn’t fit after the unit is already two-thirds full. Pick a unit that’s too large, and you’ll be forking over extra money each month that you can sorely afford to waste. 

Here’s a general guideline to follow:

• 5X10 units typically accommodate a small bedroom or office
• 10×10 units can usually fit a one-bedroom apartment
• 10×15 and up can hold multiple rooms’ worth of possessions

This handy storage size guide provides even more information about what the most common sizes of storage units can hold. 

Flexible Lease Terms

Finding a storage facility with flexible lease terms is a must during your divorce. You may only be sleeping on a friend’s couch for a month or two until you’re ready to move into your own place and take your things out of storage. Imagine all the money you’d burn if you signed a year storage lease!

Fortunately, you can find self-storage companies, like Price Self Storage®, that offer month-to-month leases so you only pay for the storage you need. 

Facility Location

When you need to move to storage, the location of your chosen storage facility can significantly impact your experience. Try to choose a facility that’s located between where you’re currently staying and your workplace. This will make it easier for you to pick up the odd item from your unit when you realize you need to use it. You might be surprised to find out how often you need to visit your storage unit between moves. An out-of-the-way facility could turn into an ongoing time-suck when you already have enough responsibilities on your plate. 

 Storage As Part of Your Fresh Start

As you’re learning how to navigate a divorce, self storage can offer both practical assistance and emotional relief. Self storage solutions are more than just a place for your belongings. They also give you the space and time you need to process your emotions and plan your next chapter. By safely storing possessions that represent your past, you can create room for new beginnings.

At Price Self Storage, we’re here to support your divorce journey by offering convenient, secure storage solutions throughout California. Our wide range of unit sizes can store anything from a few boxes to a multi-bedroom household. We also offer month-to-month leases exclusively, so you’ll always have the flexibility you need during this transitional time. 

Take advantage of our special online pricing rates and start creating space for your fresh beginning today. Find a Price Self Storage near you. 

Storage and Divorce FAQs

Why should I consider using self storage during a divorce? Isn’t it just another complication?

Self storage solutions can actually simplify the divorce process in some cases by providing a neutral place for shared items and giving you breathing room for important decisions. Rather than making hasty choices about possessions during an emotional time, you can use storage to give you space to focus on your immediate priorities while keeping your belongings secure for the future.

What kinds of items do people typically need to store when going through a divorce?

People put all kinds of things in storage during their divorce, including shared possessions that are awaiting division, household possessions for a future move, sentimental items and important documents that need protection, and personal belongings that won’t fit in temporary living arrangements. 

What’s the best way to handle shared possessions that my ex-partner hasn’t divided yet?

A neutral self storage solution can provide a secure, third-party location for undivided items. Create a detailed inventory before the move into storage, make sure both parties have access if needed, and consider renting a unit with flexible month-to-month terms during the division process. 

I might be moving into a smaller place temporarily. Can storage help with items I want for my future home? 

Absolutely! Moving to storage is an ideal way to keep your favorite furniture, appliances, and household items that won’t fit into your temporary living situation. Self storage can protect these valuable assets until you’re ready for a permanent home, saving you the hassle and expense of repurchasing the same things down the road. 

Is a storage unit a safe place for sentimental items or important documents during this transition?

Yes, storage solutions can be a good option for keeping your valuable documents and sentimental items. At Price Self Storage, all our facilities feature computerized gate access and security cameras to help keep our locations secure so you can focus on building the next chapter of your life.