5 Common Mistakes That You Should Avoid before Filing for Divorce
Divorce is among the hardest things you can ever go through. Even in cases where the dissolution between you and your spouse is expected to me amicable, the financial and emotional difficulties associated with divorce can cause severe distress.
When going through a divorce, the last thing you want is to become blindsided and fail to take the required steps to prepare yourself for the proceedings. However, before you embark on your divorce, you want to make sure that you don’t make the same mistakes that so many others have.
Here are five mistakes you want to avoid.
Mistake #1: Not knowing your financial position
Having access to all your important financial records is one of the most important steps in divorce. A good family law attorney will advise you to obtain detailed knowledge of your income, assets, expenses and debts before you file for divorce. While it may seem expensive, it might be worthwhile to invest in the services of a financial advisor or accountant to help you make sense of your finances. The more information you have, the better you and your attorney will be able to plan for the proceedings.
Mistake #2 Not getting your affairs in order
It’s imperative that you take a proactive approach to signing wills, updating estate plans, refinancing assets and taking care of similar affairs prior to filing for a divorce. In many states, as soon as you file for a divorce, temporary restraining orders begin to take effect. As a result, completing these instructions may not be possible.
Mistake #3: Not setting money aside
You probably know that it’s a good idea to have an emergency fund in case of eventualities such as losing your job. Divorce proceedings fall squarely in this category of events that should be covered by your emergency fund because you need to have liquid money in case accessing your funds becomes difficult or your spouse completely cuts you off in the process. It’s also advisable to keep your valuable belongings such as jewelry in a safety deposit box if you’re concerned your spouse might take them.
Mistake #4: Not seeing a therapist
Among the things you need when going through a difficult divorce is a haven where you can express yourself safely and in confidence. When you speak to a therapist, you can be sure that everything you say is protected by doctor-patient privilege and can therefore not be used as evidence in court. Useful as your family law attorney might be, only a trained mental health professional can help you process the maze of difficult emotions.
Mistake #5: Talking about your divorce on social media
Statements made on social media have in many cases been used as evidence in divorce cases. Your attorney has probably advised you against posting compromising material on social media about things such as partying and drinking. In fact, before you file for divorce, make sure you scrub your online content all the way to the past to make sure it can’t be used against you.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
