The divorce process is a challenging time for most people. Which can make it easy to make mistakes that can potentially cost you money or control over what your future will look like.
We’d like you to avoid these mistakes and make this process as smooth as possible. Read on to learn which pitfalls you can avoid. Your new future is right around the corner; let’s do everything possible to ensure it’s the one you envision.
Whether you are choosing to work with a divorce lawyer, a mediator, or both simultaneously, these tips are designed to help you make it through this transition as smoothly as possible.
From letting emotions drive decisions and neglecting to gather important financial information to failing to consider long-term implications and not seeking professional advice, these missteps can significantly impact your future:
Focusing on Winning: Viewing divorce as a win-lose situation and adopting an adversarial mindset can lead to protracted legal battles, increased conflict, and higher costs. Collaborative approaches such as mediation or negotiation may be more beneficial in achieving mutually satisfactory outcomes.
Lack of Communication: Poor communication between divorcing spouses can lead to misunderstandings and conflict escalation. While it may feel difficult at the time, clear communication on important issues such as child custody, division of assets, and spousal support can save you both a lot of time and cost during the divorce process.
Letting Emotions Drive Decisions: Divorce can be emotionally charged, leading individuals to make decisions based on anger, resentment, or sadness rather than logic and reason. While it can feel cathartic to make decisions based on the frustration you’re feeling, it can lead to impulsive actions or agreements that are not in one’s best interests.
Ignoring Financial Considerations: You need to have a clear picture of your financial standing before starting the divorce process. It’s best to fully understand your financial situation, including assets, debts, income, and expenses. Failure to do so can result in inequitable division of marital property, inadequate spousal or child support arrangements, or financial hardship post-divorce. The outcome of your divorce will affect your life for years to come; now is the time to make sure you have all the right information to make informed decisions.
Overlooking Children’s Needs: Most people don’t mean to add any extra pressure on their children during divorce. It’s a time when they’ll need even more support. Ensure your actions aren’t putting your children in the middle of parental conflict. It’s essential for parents to prioritize co-parenting, maintain stability, and minimize disruption during the divorce process.
Agreeing to Unfavourable Terms: While you may want to get the divorce process over as quickly as possible, it’s important that all your rights and needs have been considered in the final agreement. This is where having adequate legal support, such as a mediator, is crucial. Feeling pressured to agree to terms that are not fair or favourable can result in regrets later on. It’s important to carefully consider and negotiate all aspects of the divorce settlement to ensure it meets one’s needs and protects one’s rights.
Disregarding Legal Procedures: Getting divorced can be a strain on your schedule. Ignoring court deadlines, failing to comply with court orders, or engaging in unethical behaviour can result in legal penalties, delays, or complications in the divorce proceedings. That’s why you should get a clear picture from your divorce lawyer or divorce mediator of your legal obligations and the time required to fulfill them.
Not Taking Care of Yourself: Divorce can be emotionally draining and stressful. Find time to prioritize self-care and seek support from friends, family, or professionals. This is often one of the hardest times that people face, so don’t hesitate to seek out support along the way.
Yes, this will be a challenging time, but you can make it through the divorce process by avoiding these common mistakes. Taking thoughtful steps now can lead to a more positive and stable post-divorce life. Stay strong and seek support as needed—you’re not alone on this journey.
To learn more about the divorce process, book a Free Consultation. During this 15-minute call, we go over what you will need to prepare for divorce, what the process will look like, and what steps to take first.
