Five Mistakes That Can Damage Your Divorce Proceedings

Even in the best of circumstances, divorce tends to be a complicated affair. If everything is easy, straight forward, and amicable, the process can go smoothly. But, when there is more involved in the case, whether that is emotions, property, custody or financial implications, the trickier things become. The focus of anyone walking through a divorce should be to remain rational and detail-oriented to ensure the best possible personal outcome. There are plenty of ways a person could harm their case in divorce proceedings, but if you are prepared and cognizant of what could go wrong you will be better prepared. 

Mistake # 1: Filing too soon

There are some who believe if you file for divorce before your spouse that you will have the upper hand. And in some cases, this approach does work in their favor. But there are other situations where people, in a rush to file first, damage their own case. Never file for the sake of filing without a clear plan of action. Individuals contemplating divorce are encouraged to organize their paperwork and documents, save money, and find the right attorney. Having you “ducks in a row” is far more important than filing first. 

Mistake # 2: Hiding assets

It is only natural to want to try and protect your interests in a divorce proceeding. Unfortunately, to protect their own financial well-being some have tried transferring assets out of their name, or other means of concealing resources. No matter how sneaky you might think you are, you will most likely be found out and risk ruining your credibility. 

Mistake # 3: Airing your dirty laundry on social media

While social media plays a prominent role in many lives today, it can also play an important role in your divorce case. A recent study found that one-third of divorce filings in the United States cited the word “Facebook.” Social media has been the avenue by which some infidelities have been discovered and more. Lashing out against your former partner online paints a terrible picture of you and can make you look irresponsible in a custody hearing as well. Far too many people are not considering the impact of what they post, and, in the process, they are damaging their own divorce cases. 

Mistake # 4: Agreeing to unfavorable terms

While walking through a divorce can be a very volatile time for an individual, you should never become laissez faire about your case. Far too many people seek the easy road, or the fastest route, and in turn sabotage their wishes and desired outcome. Being levelheaded can help you avoid damaging your divorce proceedings. 

Mistake # 5: Not seeking legal representation

In today’s world there are millions of online resources and how to guides to do anything. There are even resources that claim to be able to coach you through handling on your divorce case. While this might be an option for some, most individuals need to seek expert legal counsel. Divorces can be messy and having someone on your team that is well versed in the law and possible outcomes can only help your cause. 

How your divorce plays out can greatly impact your future, be sure to make sure you are doing everything possible to achieve the best possible outcome.