When is it appropriate to begin dating?

There is no single answer to that question. Legally it is often unwise to date before the marriage has legally been terminated if your state deems such activity as adultery. From an emotional perspective, many people have not fully healed from the trauma, and expose themselves to rebounding from a variety of issues. There are situations where people have begun the healing process before the termination and are able to proceed through the healing process rather quickly.