Going through a divorce can be an extremely difficult and emotional time. With so much change happening in your life, it’s easy to make mistakes that could negatively impact your case.
In this article, we will go through some of the most common and costly errors people make during divorce.
Don’t Try to Handle Your Divorce Without an Attorney
The first mistake many people make is trying to handle their divorce without professional legal representation. There are several reasons why tackling a divorce on your own is inadvisable:
- You May Fail to Understand Your Rights – Divorce law can be complex. An attorney can explain how the law applies to your unique situation regarding child custody, spousal support, and division of marital property.
- You Lack Negotiation Experience – Divorce involves a lot of negotiation between you and your spouse to reach settlement agreements. Attorneys have sophisticated negotiation skills you likely lack.
- You May Make Costly Legal Mistakes – An experienced divorce lawyer can help you avoid pitfalls that may negatively impact your case down the road.
Bottom line: Hiring a competent divorce attorney protects your interests and empowers you to make informed decisions during your divorce process. While it requires an upfront investment, the long-term benefits of legal counsel far outweigh any costs.
Don’t Hide Assets or Financial Information
Being dishonest about assets and finances during a divorce is not only unethical, but also illegal. Yet, some spouses still attempt to hide money, investments, income sources, and other valuables from their partner. Here’s why this is a terrible idea:
- You Violate Court Orders – Failing to disclose assets fully violates legal discovery rules and court orders. This can spur sanctions or overturn your divorce settlement.
- You Lose Trust – Trickling out partial truths destroys trust between you and your spouse, making reaching agreements far more difficult.
- You Get an Unfair Settlement – Hiding assets means the marital property division will be skewed in your favor, which is unjust.
Maintain integrity: Being transparent about finances ensures a fair process and settlement. Trying to hide assets makes divorce messier, lengthier, and costlier.
Don’t Disregard Your Children’s Needs
Divorce takes a tremendous emotional toll on children. As a parent, you must make your kids’ well-being and stability your top priority:
- Help Them Cope – Talk openly and reassure children their parents both still love them. Get them counseling if needed.
- Minimize Disruption – Keep routines, schedules, and rules as consistent as possible throughout divorce.
- Shield from Conflict – Never badmouth your ex in front of your kids. Avoid exposing them to arguments.
- Prioritize Their Interests – Your children’s needs must guide all major divorce decisions, including custody arrangements.
Remember your duty: While divorce separates spouses, you and your ex will always be co-parents. Making your children the priority helps them through this difficult transition.
Avoid Venting Emotions on Social Media
Social media can be tempting for expressing your feelings during a divorce. However, impulsive venting, angry outbursts, or disparaging remarks about your spouse online should be avoided at all costs. Anything you post can potentially be used against you in divorce proceedings or custody disputes.
Even if your profile is private, your spouse can easily provide evidence of your posts to the court. This includes screenshots of status updates, photos, comments, and messages. Negative posts won’t reflect well on you in front of a judge who may be deciding your case.
Keep Divorce Details Off Social Media
To avoid complications, it’s best to simply avoid discussing your divorce on any social platform. You should also consider temporarily deactivating accounts or increasing privacy settings while your case is ongoing.
If you do post anything related to the proceedings, take a neutral, positive tone and stick to facts. Never make accusations against or criticize your spouse publicly online. This could be used to claim defamation or portray you negatively.
Don’t Make Major Financial Moves Without Your Attorney
It’s natural to feel financially insecure during a divorce. However, making significant money moves without consulting your divorce attorney first is a mistake. Here are some examples:
- Cashing out retirement funds or investments
- Running up debt on credit cards
- Making a major purchase like a house or car
- Draining bank accounts
Get guidance first: Such sudden, unilateral financial decisions can damage your divorce case. Your attorney needs a complete picture of your finances. Consult them before any big changes.
Don’t Make Decisions Based on Raw Emotions
The whirlwind of emotions during divorce can be overwhelming – anger, hurt, fear, resentment. While these feelings are normal, you should avoid making any lasting decisions purely based on emotions. Comments or actions driven by temporary feelings often backfire or are later regretted.
Stay focused on your long-term future and best interests. Consult with your support system and attorney before making any big choices regarding the divorce, your finances, your living situation, or your children. This level-headed approach leads to better outcomes.
DO Contact an Experienced Family Law Attorney Today
Divorce laws and procedures can be complex, confusing, and convoluted. Without proper legal representation guiding you each step of the way, it’s very easy to make mistakes that could harm your case. Don’t let that happen to you.
The skilled Georgia divorce attorneys at Edwards Family Law can protect your rights, advocate for your best interests, and counsel you through this challenging transition in life. They have extensive experience in all aspects of divorce and family law matters.
To learn more about how they can help you avoid critical errors and achieve the most favorable outcome in your divorce, contact their office today to schedule a consultation.
