Don’t Make These 5 Divorce Mistakes
Divorce is exasperating enough without complicating the matter by making serious mistakes! All too often, those seeking to terminate their marriages mistakenly believe that they can play fast and loose with the rules, and that can cost them time and money down the road.
Mistake # 1
Dragging the kids through the muck: Sure, you’re angry but do you really want to make your kids pay the price? Parents who badmouth their exes– or, worse, sabotage time the kids should be enjoying with another parent– are behaving with utter selfishness. The cost to the kids can be seen immediately in poor school performance, relationship issues, sleep difficulties, and other health consequences. And it doesn’t stop there. Many kids carry emotional baggage into adult life, impacting their ability to build healthy relationships themselves.
Mistake #2
Ignoring legal requirements: The courts expect that their orders will be followed and have the power to exact legal ramifications when you choose not to. It doesn’t matter if you think the order is unfair or inappropriate. It behooves you to respond to papers that request a response, to obey orders relating to visitation and custody, and to show up in court when directed to do so.
Mistake # 3
Hiding Assets: You are legally required to be completely transparent about your assets. When one partner is discovered to have concealed money or assets, it’s not out of the question for a judge to award those assets to the other party in a divorce. Separating two lives can be painful financially. Don’t make things worse by trying to keep more than your fair share according to law.
Mistake # 4
Spilling your guts on social media: The last thing you want to do is badmouth your ex for the whole world to see. It’s natural to have negative feelings when splitting up. It’s a matter of cutting off your nose to spite your face to take those feelings public. Avoid doing anything that makes you appear unstable, unfit as a parent, or out of touch with reality. Enflaming your ex might feel good, but it rarely works out well for either party,
Mistake # 5
Failing to take care of yourself: A divorce is a major occurrence and can result in financial turmoil, housing changes, and emotional carnage. You absolutely must ensure that you’re in the best shape possible to deal with it all. That means getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and finding ways to manage stress and anxiety.
The Right Move
Instead of making mistakes, make the smart decision to have the experienced Springfield divorce attorneys at Courtney & Mills on your side in a divorce. We always fight to achieve the best possible outcomes for you!
