With the average cost of divorce nearing the tens of thousands, it’s no secret that ending a marriage can take an emotional toll on you. So when it’s hard enough as it is, the last thing you want to do is make mistakes that hurt your case. It’s common for people to make choices that seem like the right thing to do but end up going against their own interests.
Usually, these mistakes are the result of impulsive and emotional decision-making, but they can wind up impacting the judge’s decisions about property division, visitation rights, and child custody. From losing out on your share of marital assets to paying more for spousal support, there are many ways that impulsive behavior can affect your case.
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The following is a list of 8 ways that people end up hurting their divorce cases.
1. Trying To Do It Yourself
Thanks to the prevalence of online guides and self-help resources, it’s much easier and more accessible to navigate the divorce process yourself. Once you know what steps the process entails, you can download forms, fill them out, pay the petition fees, and file your petition. However, this approach is only suitable in some cases.
Specifically, DIY-ing a divorce is suitable for shorter marriages where the spouses don’t have children or shared assets. But when you add kids and marital assets to the mix, there’s much more to deal with, which can complicate things. As the process becomes more complex, so does the likelihood of you making mistakes.
If your spouse has lawyers and you have no one to represent you, it’s possible that you may end up getting the shorter end of the stick. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to hire a Summerlin divorce attorney to represent your best interests during the process.
2. Ranting on Social Media
When you’re going through a not-so-amicable divorce, expressing your anger and frustrations on social media can seem like a harmless activity. But it’s important to remember that what goes online stays online. Anything you post there can be used against you during the divorce proceedings. A study on divorce in the US found that one-third of filings mention the word ‘Facebook.’
And if you think that adjusting your privacy settings will help, think again. Badmouthing your spouse isn’t the only thing that can get you in trouble. In fact, posting pictures of a fun night out can cause the court to question your ability to be a responsible parent.
Besides being a common way that spouses learn about their partner cheating on them, social media also impacts divorce proceedings. Posting details of the divorce or ranting about an ex-spouse can lead to a breakdown in negotiations and cause one party to stop cooperating with the other.
3. Filing For Divorce Too Quickly
A common misconception is that when you file for divorce, you have an edge over the other party. But rushing past the starting gate won’t get you ahead of your spouse. Sure, it does work in some cases, but it can also end up causing irreparable damage to your case.
That being said, family attorneys recommend that you should file if you’re prepared and have a clear plan on what you’ll do. However, filing for divorce for the sake of it can lead to hasty decisions. Instead of rushing, take the time to organize your documents and find the right divorce lawyer. Having a solid foundation and being prepared is much more beneficial in the long run than filing first.
4. Signing Documents Without Reviewing Them
For many people, divorce is a stressful and emotional time. When you’re in the middle of a hectic and financially draining legal process, it’s natural to want it to be over. You may even be willing to give in to your spouse’s terms – just to get it over with. But wanting to rush things can come at a cost.
Some people end up signing documents without reviewing them carefully or offering assets willingly. As a result, you inadvertently agree to. It’s best to run all documents through your divorce attorney before signing them. Besides reviewing documents, your divorce attorney can be a source of support, taking care of certain processes so you have time to focus on yourself and your kids.
5. Taking Advice From Others
With so many divorces taking place in the US, it’s likely that you already know a few people who have gone through the process. It’s natural to seek advice from someone who can relate to what you’re going through, and many people just want to help, so they’re eager to share their stories.
There’s no harm in hearing stories from a friend or family member’s experience with divorce, but be careful about the advice you take. Remember that your friend and their ex-spouse are different from you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse. Instead of asking for advice from cousins, colleagues, or acquaintances, it’s best to ask your family lawyer about the best way to move forward.
6. Leaving The Marital Home
When you and your spouse are no longer in a romantic relationship, moving out of the marital home can seem like a no-brainer. While it’s common for couples to start living apart by the time they start the divorce process, it can end up hurting their cases in the long run.
No one wants to live with a soon-to-be-ex, especially when tensions are high, but leaving the marital home can impact custody decisions and visitation rights. It also affects the judge’s decisions with regard to property division and spousal support payments.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many impulsive and emotional decisions you can take that wind up having a negative impact on your divorce case. Acting impulsively is rarely a good idea, and this is especially true for the divorce process. The most common ways you can end up hurting your case include posting details about the divorce on social media, leaving the marital home, and signing documents without reviewing them. But perhaps the biggest mistake is trying to go through a complex legal process without an experienced divorce attorney. With a legal professional on your team, you’re much more likely to make informed, calm decisions throughout the process.
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