There could be several ramifications of dating when you are involved in a child custody case.  First, the person you are dating may be considered by the court as someone who is not in the best interests of the children whose custody is in dispute. That is, the court may determine that your new boyfriend or girlfriend is not a good influence on the childrena and should not be allowed around them.  Secondly, many custody battles are fought because of jealousies and feelings of parental inadequacies.  By being involved in a dating relationship, you are simply adding fuel to the fire which could prolong your child custody matter.  Your spouse may have no actual objections to the custody relationship that you seek, but she may be blinded by her anger with you over dating another person too quickly after your separation.  Finally, a court may prevent your dating partner from spending the night around the children until they obtain a certain age or your relationship has been of a certain duration.  Our courts are not in the habit of making moralistic rulings but they might not believe it is in the best interests of the children, from any standpoint, to witness your sexual acts with another person.  Last, but not least, dating another person may be particularly confusing to your minor children and lead to an even greater hardship down the line.