.jpg)
Getting a divorce is a trying time in anyone’s life.
It is also a time that divorce attorneys see their clients dealing with confusion and high emotion - and making mistakes that work against them.
If you are divorcing, keep in mind these Top 10 mistakes that can happen during a divorce and take steps to avoid them.
Hire an experienced divorce lawyer to advise and advocate for you and try to take their advice on how to keep things under control!
1. Not Understanding How Property Is Divided
Even though Texas is a community property state, any divorce attorney can attest that this does not mean that property gets split 50/50.
There are many factors that go into the division of marital property that could affect who gets what and how much each spouse gets.
2. Failing to Start Property Division Without An Inventory
To accomplish Item #1, the process of dividing a couple’s property must begin with an accurate inventory of that property.
Starting the process on the right foot with an inventory, going through valuation, and accessing financial records will prevent the problems that could occur later if property division is done without all of this.
3. Creating More Money Problems
Though divorcing may be a very difficult process and generate strong emotions, divorce lawyers warn to avoid trying to get back at a spouse by abusing the finances and running up debt as this will only complicate things further.
Alternately, ignoring family finances by no longer paying the bills will do the same, just in a different way.
4. Avoiding Tax Concerns
When dividing up marital property, couples must also divide up investments, retirement funds, and other accounts that can affect both spouses’ taxes.
All tax changes and concerns should be addressed during this process to avoid tax issues later on and ensure that each spouse pays the correct share of those taxes at tax time and the whole burden is not left on only one spouse.
5. Spitefully Dragging Out the Process
The divorce process can be complicated enough without an angry spouse being intentionally difficult.
Divorce attorneys stress the importance of putting moods aside and working productively toward completing the process so that everyone can move on in their lives.
By intentionally complicating matters, dragging feet in providing information, and otherwise slowing things down, the divorce will only cost more in time, effort, and money with the same end result.
Spouses that are intentionally disagreeable could actually end up on the losing end of the judge’s consideration, too.
6. Agreeing To Anything To Shorten the Process
At the same time, spouses should also not give up everything just to get the divorce over with.
It is the job of an experienced divorce lawyer to facilitate the divorce process as much as possible while still advocating for their client, that way each spouse comes away in the fairest position.
7.Trying to Mend Things With Generosity
Couples who have reached the point of starting the divorce process will rarely reconcile during it.
Though it may be possible to do so later on, attorneys advise against trying to convince a spouse not to divorce by trying to seem especially generous when dividing property and making other decisions.
This will only leave one spouse with more than they are entitled to and the other with nothing.
8. Moving Away from the Kids Too Soon
While the desire to move out may be high once the decision to divorce is made, avoid doing it too soon if there are children involved.
Moving out before lawyers recommend doing so could leave the court with the opinion that the moving spouse is not so interested in maintaining relationships with their children.
This could work against them when it becomes time to decide on custody, visitation, and other parenting arrangements.
9. Talking About Personal Things Online
One of the most damaging things that anyone involved in a divorce can do is to air out their dirty laundry online on social media or elsewhere.
What gets said online can affect one person’s case against their divorcing spouse and who the family court favors.
Discussing the divorce, family life, and other related issues on social media and other online communications should be avoided.
10. Not Being Honest With Your Divorce Lawyer
To receive the most favorable consideration in a divorce, whether going to court, using mediation, or relying on some other method, it is essential that clients be honest with their attorneys about everything, including many of the uncomfortable details.
Without this information, an attorney cannot do their best job at representing their client and helping them get through the divorce as favorably as possible.
Make A Divorce Easier For Yourself!
When starting a divorce, it is essential that soon-to-be divorcees find a divorce attorney who they connect with, then work with and not against him or her to get through the process.
Clients should keep these common mistakes in mind and work with their divorce lawyer to avoid them so their divorce can progress quickly and end positively.
