Mistakes You Should Avoid Making During Your Divorce

Divorce can be a complex situation and, given the range of emotions people often feel during this difficult time, it can be easy to make some rather costly mistakes. A lot is at stake in a divorce, however, and the decisions you make now can have severe ripple effects on your future.

Here is a list of some of the most frequently made mistakes that you should avoid during the divorce process:

• You are unsure of your financial status: Before you begin the divorce process, you should have access to certain financial documents to understand your financial situation. You should know which assets are separate and which are marital, so be sure to make copies of any documents that are pertinent to proving who owns what.

• You drag your kids into it: Your children are likely having a hard enough time coping with the idea of their parents no longer being together, so do not make this harder on them by dragging them into the middle of an ugly split. Putting your kids in a position where they feel forced to choose sides will only harm them, so leave them out of it.

• You are not reaching out to your family or friends for support: Your friends and family might be full of unwanted advice, but they are also full of support. Leave the unsolicited advice behind and try to lean on them for strength.

• You are not well informed or being proactive enough: Your attorney can provide a lot of support and advice to help you get through this process, but you still need to take an active role in your own life. Ask your attorney questions when you do not understand something and, if you have specific goals in mind, vocalize them to ensure you are moving forward with the right strategy to achieve them.

• You are avoiding attorneys altogether: Sure, in today’s society, we all want to try to do things on our own, but you are probably not a legal expert, which means you are undoubtedly going to make some mistakes if you attempt to handle your divorce on your own. You might think that, by not hiring an attorney, you are saving money, but this will only cost you in the long-run and you might end up needing to hire an attorney to fix your mistakes later on. Do it right the first time.

• You are trying to make informal agreements: Even if you are on good terms with your soon-to-be ex-spouse, you must have any of the agreements you make in writing. Otherwise, if his or her mind changes later on, this can backfire in a big way.

Hire an Experienced Divorce Lawyer!

Are you and your spouse unable to make your marriage work? You should speak with an experienced divorce attorney to understand your options and ensure your interests are protected as you move forward with the process. At Sherwood, Johnson & Poles, our divorce attorneys provide exceptional and compassionate legal services for clients seeking to dissolve their marriage. We will work with you to find the best possible solution for your circumstances.

Call our law office today at (888) 224-1218 to schedule a free case review to learn more about your options and how we can help you.