5 Common Mistakes Made During a Divorce

Avoid Doing What Others Have Done

Going through something as difficult as divorce can cause one to act in ways that are contrary to how they normally behave. Many often struggle with making rational decisions or failing to think things through before acting because of the various range of emotions they feel. Because of this, people often make mistakes during their divorce that can cost them in the long run.

Here are some common mistakes many people have made that you can now avoid in your divorce.

Mistake #1: Using the Court as a Tool For Revenge

There have been instances where someone has been blindsided by a divorce and left feeling abandoned and sad, and because of those feelings, they choose to drag out the process as long as they possibly can in order to feel “in control” over their spouse. While you may be left feeling depressed or alone after your divorce starts, using the court as a tool for vengeance can actually do more harm to you than you might realize.

If you choose to drag out court battles over issues as big as child custody or as little over who gets to keep a pet, that drawn-out legal process can end up costing you more money in the long run, as you have to pay the court costs as well as your attorney for their work. If you have kids, this longer process could have an effect on their emotional wellbeing, as well.

While it might feel nice at first to have a little bit of revenge through the court, doing so could cost you more than you thought.

Mistake #2: Failing To Have a Financial Plan

After your divorce is finalized, your finances will look much different than they do now. You might be on the receiving end of spousal support or child support payments, or you might end up funding those payments. Either way, failing to plan for your new financial situation after your divorce is a big mistake.

It is important to map out what your financial situation might look like when your divorce is complete. Looking at your current expenses and forecasting them for the future while keeping your change in income in mind is important to get an accurate picture of what your life could look like. Continuing to spend as normal or even more than previously could start you down the path of financial problems.

Mistake #3: Letting Emotions Run Wild

Divorce can be an emotional time for anyone involved. You may not have expected your marriage to come to an end, but now it has. It can be difficult to process everything going on in the moment, but that does not mean you should let your emotions get out of control.

It is absolutely okay to feel sad and to work through the stages of grieving, but letting your emotions take hold of you can cause you to make decisions you might not have otherwise. Too many emotions hitting you at once can cloud your judgment. Rather than let yourself go through this rollercoaster of feelings, take steps to manage your emotions as best as you can.

Mistake #4: Settling For Less Than You Deserve

Many people, in an effort to get the divorce over with as quickly as possible, often try to rush through a settlement agreement without realizing what they may end up costing themselves when it is finished. Your desire to move through the process quickly should not cause you to forsake your rights to your property and your desire for custody.

It is acceptable (and often encouraged) to try to work out a settlement agreement with your spouse prior to stepping foot in court, but do not go into it with the goal of rushing through it. Doing so may cause you to miss out on something you might have been able to walk away with.

Mistake #5: Failing to Retain a Divorce Attorney

Some people want to save money throughout a divorce and end up trying to work through the process on their own. Legal proceedings can be complex and difficult to understand, and trying to do things on your own may end up leading to mistakes and future problems. It is important to work with a divorce attorney capable of guiding you throughout the process while fighting for your rights.

When the knot unravels, The Law Offices of LeeDaun C. Williams LLC is there to help you. To schedule a consultation, call us at (216) 350-8511 or visit our website to fill out a form.