Going through a divorce is tough, and it is important to make informed decisions to protect yourself and your future. It is also important to know the most common mistakes people make when getting a divorce, because these mistakes can be serious and costly. Remember that in a typical divorce, you are dealing with a court of law, which has procedures, rules and regulations that everyone must abide by.
Ignoring legal advice
One big mistake is not seeking legal advice early on or ignoring the legal advice your attorney gives you. Many individuals think they know better than their attorneys.
However, odds are your attorney has been doing this for a long time and probably has a strategy in place for your case, so even though you may not understand everything, they most likely have your back.
Ask your attorney questions and make sure you agree to everything they are doing on your behalf, but do not make the mistake of ignoring your attorney and taking matters into your own hands when you have chosen an attorney to represent you in your divorce.
Neglecting financial awareness
Do not turn a blind eye to your finances! This is a common mistake that people make and it can lead to problems later on. Divorce will make your life financially harder. That is something that you should know from the get-go, but you can have your financial affairs in order and gather all pertinent information for your attorney, including assets, debts and income.
Lying to counsel or the court
One of the worst mistakes a person can make is to lie about anything to their attorney or the court. The relationship with your attorney is based on trust, so lying to them will hurt the relationship. Lying to the court can get you in serious trouble and you will lose credibility in front of the judge.
Being vague about custody
Often, divorcing parents want to get the divorce over with and they assume that if they have a general parenting plan, everything will be fine. Most of the time, that is not the case. Make sure your parenting plan is specific and that you go over every detail and scenario with your attorney to ensure that you cover everything before the court issues an order.
Remember, you are not alone in this process. Seeking professional advice and avoiding these common mistakes can mean the difference between a reasonably pleasant divorce and a disastrous one. Keep in mind, too, that you will go through an emotional rollercoaster. You may experience unexpected emotions. Make sure you choose wisely, because once you do or say something, it is difficult to take it back.