Millions of Americans get divorced every year. If you’re preparing to dissolve your marriage, it’s important to have a good understanding of the process. Although typically relatively straightforward, it’s easy to make mistakes along the way without proper guidance. Certain mistakes, intentional or otherwise, could lead to long term headaches. Here are 3 common mistakes you should avoid.
1.) Hiding assets. At the beginning of your marriage, you and your spouse likely combined assets. During the course of the relationship, you may have also set up a bank account together, made joint purchases and paid taxes filing jointly. Even though you’re two separate people, the law in these instances lumps your finances together. If you own multiple properties or assets, like cars or boats, you might be tempted to hide them from your attorneys. However, this scheme rarely pays off in the long run. The law requires you to be transparent about your finances. If you’re caught hiding something, it could mean serious fines, penalties and even jail time.
2.) Ignoring court orders. Nobody likes going to court, but regular hearings are part of getting a divorce. Make sure you set aside time to attend each and every one of these sessions. If you fail to attend court-appointed meetings or you ignore court orders for child support or other financial matters, you’re only creating additional hurdles. Don’t risk your finances or your future.
3.) Bringing your kids into the mix. Getting divorced is emotionally fraught for the two adults experiencing it. Feelings of anger, sadness and general upset are normal. However, take care to avoid passing the emotion on to any children involved. Try and isolate children from the divorce process itself as much as possible. When you’re spending time with them, focus on them, not your proceedings.
Divorce is never easy, but if you can avoid these mistakes, the process is sure to go much smoother. If you need help along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to support you.