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Mistakes To Avoid When Getting A Divorce

26 January 2015 by Kenneth Pierce

The process of getting a divorce is rarely easy and certainly never pleasant. In such a stressful situation, you are prone to making poor decisions about your future (if for no other reason, just so you can get it over with). Given the number of emotional, practical and financial issues that have to be resolved in a short time, it's hardly surprising that during a divorce many people end up making major mistakes they later regret. Below are some of the things you should definitely try to avoid during your divorce.

Increasing Your Debt Load

The process of getting a divorce is hardly inexpensive. In addition to paying your attorney, you're going to have to have money to set up a separate household. You need to resist the temptation, in these circumstances, to increase your debt. Since you're probably going to have to get by on a little less money, it's best to start getting used to this situation now instead of making it even worse for yourself later. Keep in mind that any court costs or attorney fees may well come due prior to you receive a share of the joint property or any alimony. Being careful with your money during the divorce process will give you more freedom in the future.

Deciding to Settle Early

Even though you want to end your marriage immediately, this doesn't mean you should be willing to throw away your financial future just to expedite the process. Make sure you have all the details covered. As a part of protecting your future, you should make several copies of any important financial documents, including tax forms, credit card statements, bank records, pension statements and mutual fund statements. This will give you (and your attorney) a good idea of what you own and what you owe. You also need to make sure that both you and your children will still have healthcare insurance when the divorce is finalized.

You and your spouse may be able to arrive at an "uncontested" divorce. This will reduce your court costs and save time. But if this is not possible, a third-party mediator can be hired to help work out the details of the division of any joint property or assets. Keep in mind that if you do not arrive at some sort of agreement about the division of property, the court may step in and handle this issue for you.

 

Forgetting to Change Your Will

People sometimes assume that getting divorced automatically invalidates any will they created while married. This is not the case. If you want to ensure that your spouse (soon to be your ex spouse) will be unable to receive the assets and properties that you had previously assigned to them in your will, you will need to update that will. While you can do this prior to the divorce or during the process, you should keep in mind that if you die before the divorce is finalized (and you choose to leave your spouse nothing) he or she will probably be able to file suit and claim at least part of your estate. This means it might be best to wait until the divorce is completed to change your will. Your lawyer, like one found at the Law Office of Jeffrey Dragon, will be able to give you more helpful tips on what mistakes you can easily avoid while going through the process of divorce. 

 

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