DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for obtaining competent legal advice from an expert licensed and qualified to provide legal advice. Eagle Investigative Services, Inc. provides general information only and is not a law firm or attorney, therefore no attorney/client relationship can be created with Eagle Investigative Services, Inc. Readers of this information should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any of the material in this document without first obtaining the legal advice of an attorney specific to your own situation.
Mistake #1: Taking action without obtaining legal advice.
Divorces are full of financial pitfalls. A qualified family attorney can help you avoid them.
Mistake #2: Moving out of the marital home.
The decision to leave the marital home is an important one. You should not move until you consult with your attorney and consider all the facts of your case. By moving, you could jeopardize your right to own the home or have custody of your children.
Mistake #3: Not realizing the importance of the status quo.
One of the most important concepts in family law is that of the status quo. Courts are loathe to change the way things are going unless it’s clear there’s a big problem. For example, if you make payments to your spouse without a court order, it will be difficult to convince a court that you cannot afford to continue the payments.
Mistake #4: Making decisions while depressed or upset about your divorce.
A divorce is a very emotional and difficult time. If you make decisions when you are depressed or upset, you can easily make bad decisions. Try to make important decisions only when you feel strong.
Mistake #5: Getting divorce advice from family and friends.
You will no doubt hear a lot of urban legends about divorce law. Many of them are not correct. While your family may mean well and want to help you, that doesn’t change the fact that many of the things they tell you may not be accurate. Just because your friend got the house in your divorce doesn’t mean you get it too. The only reliable source of information about the divorce is your lawyer.
Mistake #6: Using your divorce to punish your ex-spouse.
This will not only cost you a bomb, but it will also do a lot of damage to you and your children.
Mistake #7: Not thinking strategically.
Thinking strategically means deciding what is worth fighting for and what is not worth fighting for. It can be too expensive to fight over everything with your ex-spouse. You also need to decide how much you are willing to pay to fight for your assets. There is no point in spending $5,000 in legal fees to get an extra $1,000 in your divorce settlement.
Mistake #8: Being generous to get your spouse back.
This does not work. If your marriage is over, no amount of generosity will get your spouse back.
Mistake #9: Not keeping a journal.
In a highly controversial case, the details of what happened can be particularly important. A journal containing all the daily events related to the divorce will be invaluable when you want to remember what happened.
Mistake #10: Bypassing the mediation option.
Mediation is where you and your spouse, along with a mediator, discuss the issues you are facing in the hope of reaching an acceptable agreement. The mediator is a neutral third party who helps you and your spouse work toward a reasonable solution to your divorce issues. In many cases, mediation may be the fastest and cheapest way to reach an agreement with your spouse. And because it happens so quickly, it avoids much of the emotional trauma that you and your children would have to endure.
Mistake #11: Not getting security for child support payments.
If your ex-spouse dies, what will you do without the child support payments you were receiving? Getting the right life insurance can make all the difference.