No one expects their marriage to end in divorce. But, unfortunately, it is a part of life that many couples find themselves facing. Unfortunately, when this happens, many people make the mistake of thinking their divorce will be like all other divorces. However, each case is unique and can require special attention to preserve the rights of those involved.
As you progress through this new stage in your life, you have to prepare yourself mentally for the emotional rollercoaster that comes with splitting your life into two parts: before and after the divorce. Before long, things can start to feel like they never will go back to normal again, and that’s when it becomes tempting to give up on trying. However, now is not the time to stop striving toward what you deserve as an individual. You need strength and determination more than ever now, and with a solid support network of loved ones and a highly experienced Metro East divorce attorney by your side, you can get through this challenging time with your rights intact.
To ensure your divorce proceeds as smoothly as possible, it’s essential to learn from mistakes that others have made in the past that were in a similar position. Here are the 10 most common pitfalls that many people fall into when going through a divorce:
- Lying About Your Income
Don’t lie about your income. Suppose you’re going through a contested divorce. In that case, it’s important to be honest with the judge about your income and needs so the judge can make an informed decision regarding child support or alimony payments. However, lying may backfire on you by getting you into more trouble or limiting what rights you have to receive alimony. Additionally, there are serious legal consequences to lying, so it’s best to be truthful to advance your case and protect your rights.
- Being Emotionally Unprepared
Be prepared for the emotional aftermath of your divorce. A lot of people don’t realize that there can be significant effects on emotions following a breakup. You may feel depressed, anxious, or experience other mental health challenges, including drinking or drug abuse issues. Do not be afraid to get help if you need it. This will help you focus on the court proceedings and ensure you are on the path to healing.
- Representing Yourself Alone in Court
Do not try to represent yourself during a divorce case. Divorces can be very complicated, which is why it’s essential for both parties involved in the case to always have legal representation by their side. This will help ensure that no critical rights are lost during the proceedings.
- Being Unprepared for a Spouse’s Actions
Don’t get upset if your spouse tries to take advantage of you or turn others against you. This is a common tactic that people use in divorce cases, particularly when children are involved, and one party wants full custody of them. Don’t fall for this, and don’t fight with your spouse. Instead, stay focused and protect what you deserve. Communicate any issues directly to your legal representative so they can choose how to handle the information rather than getting into a public argument that can be damaging to your case.
- Allowing the Case to Drag
Don’t let the timeline of the case drag on for too long, if possible. The longer a divorce goes on, the more stress it can place on those involved and their family members and friends, which is why it’s essential to try to settle things out of court if it makes the most sense for your situation.
- Taking Away Your Children Unless There is a Safety Concern
Don’t try to take your children away or keep them from their other parent during the case unless necessary for safety reasons. This could result in worse consequences, particularly because judges will expect that both parents should interact with their child at some point throughout the court proceedings and possibly beyond. In addition, if there are no credible accusations against the other parent for not being able to see the children, then the act of not allowing them to see the other parent could damage your case.
- Using Marital Assets Without Permission
Don’t try to use marital assets during the case without permission from your spouse or a judge’s order. This could be considered theft, which you don’t want on your record, especially if it’s for something that will benefit only one party involved in the divorce.
- Hiding Assets
Don’t try to hide assets during the case. If you’re going through a contested divorce, both parties must disclose all their assets and debts for them to be divided fairly between the two of you. Hiding something could only hurt your chances of getting things like alimony or child support since they wouldn’t determine your needs accurately. You also run the risk of being caught and damaging your success in the case.
- Do Not Break Any Laws
Don’t break the law during or after your divorce case is settled. This includes anything from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, using illegal substances, or committing crimes such as assault against any other individuals. This could be detrimental to your case and prevent you from getting the outcome you hope to get.
- Not Protecting Your Mental Health
Don’t neglect your mental health after a divorce. While you may feel the need to stay in bed all day and avoid going out in public, it’s vital for your well-being that you try to live a normal life during this transitional period following the end of your marriage.
For both parties involved in a divorce case to be protected, they must avoid these common pitfalls. For additional assistance on how to handle your case in Metro East, you should consider contacting the family law attorneys at Stange Law Firm to start your journey toward a brighter future today.
