10 Biggest Mistakes People Make During a Divorce
As we have mentioned in previous blog entries, divorce is not only a very emotional and stressful journey, but it can also get down right dirty and ugly. As we have seen in the past, one of the biggest legal mistakes people make when considering a divorce is hiring an inexperienced divorce attorney. After all, your attorney is going to be with you every step of this legal journey and if you do not have an open and honest relationship from the beginning, things will quickly head in the wrong direction. Not only is hiring an inexperienced attorney is a major legal mistake, we have put together a top 10 list of things that can cause major problems when going through the process.
Watch out for these 10 Divorce Mistakes:
1. Hiding information. It is natural to feel uncomfortable about sharing your personal information to your divorce team. However, it is vital that you disclose all the details of your life with your spouse including assets, property, and financials. You do not want to fall into the trap of getting caught off guard during divorce proceedings.
2. Covering up the details. Divorce is a strenuous journey and many people want to get it over as soon as possible. Unfortunately, it is not a quick process. Ensure you thoroughly read all legal documents and agreements, disclose all information, ask questions, and truly understand what will happen as a result of your divorce. Another important mistake is signing paperwork blind. Once an agreement is filed with the Court and you notice an item that looks peculiar, it may be too late to make changes.
3. Decision making based on emotion. It can be easy to let your emotions get in the way and influence your divorce proceedings. Be proactive in your divorce by making logical decisions about how you will live the rest of your life. Consult with a counselor or therapist to cope with your emotions so you will be able to be stay focused on working out the important issues of your divorce.
4. Bringing your kids into the divorce. It is easy for you to say cruel things about your spouse in the presence of your children. Remember, this divorce is happening because of you and your spouse. Do your best not to mention any aspects of your divorce to your children and do not ask your children to pick sides.
5. Sweating the “small stuff.” Your stamp collection, home accessories, and other small items should not get in the way of your divorce. It is not cost effective to have your attorneys argue over the “small stuff.” While there are emotional attachments to these belongings, listen to the advice of your attorney. You can either have an auction or develop an agreement to divide assets and small items.
6. Listening to your friends. Between talking to your immediate family, colleagues and close circle of friends, you have probably received a number of different opinions on what you should do with your divorce including alimony and child support. Do not let friends influence your decisions. Remember, this is why you hired an attorney to help guide you in the right direction. In addition, the State has its own authorized calculator for calculating child support.
7. Refusing to mediate. Consider mediation to address a few issues that will give you and your ex peace of mind and most importantly save you time and money. It has been reported that most people who go through mediation results in greater satisfaction of the divorce process than traditional divorce proceedings. Through mediation, you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse may discover you both agree on certain things.
8. Expecting too much. The saying goes, you cannot always get what you want and that is certainly the case with divorce. While agreeing on all intimate and important areas of your life including your children, assets, and finances, remain optimistic. Also, be able to convey your thoughts to your attorney on what you believe is fair. When the agreement is drafted, compromise and meet in the middle.
9. Not looking at the big picture. For your financial and mental-health being, focus on the primary issues. Clearly articulate your goals, needs, and thoughts rather than the “small stuff.” Focus on finding a logical resolution to all your divorce problems.
10. Hiring an inexperienced attorney or none at all. You cannot go through the divorce process on your own. If you are seeking Georgia divorce, contact an experienced Georgia divorce attorney. Hiring an experienced divorce attorney will ensure all the paperwork is done correctly, you have full representation and your rights will be protected.
Let Our Experienced Metro Atlanta Divorce Attorneys Help
Don’t make the common mistakes mentioned above as you go through the divorce process. Understand your options and ensure you have the right team of divorce lawyers to support you through this process. Contact our caring and experienced Georgia divorce attorneys today for a consultation. With three offices in Atlanta, Alpharetta and Marietta, we proudly serve our clients throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. Call us at 678-971-3413 or submit a contact form here today.
