10 Common Divorce Mistakes

by Ned Gill

Going through a divorce is an emotional process, whether you have been married for a few years or a few decades. In many cases, people let their emotions cloud their judgment when making decisions related to alimony, asset distribution, child support, and custody. This is why it is so important to have a Texas family law attorney to guide you through every step of the process. Hiring an experienced attorney will help you avoid making these ten common divorce mistakes.

Mistake #1

Making emotional decisions instead of practical ones - If you spend too much time thinking about the good times you had with your spouse, you won't be able to focus on making practical decisions that benefit you and your children.

Mistake #2

Fail to document everything in a complex divorce case -Your divorce attorney in Houston Texas might ask you to write down details of discussions you've had with your spouse or record information about shared assets. If you do not document everything as requested, you might lose out on the opportunity to receive certain assets in your divorce settlement.

Mistake #3

Trying to win back your spouse by giving up assets or agreeing to terms that are not in your best interests - If you did not want to file for divorce, you may be tempted to try to win back your spouse by agreeing to unfavorable settlement terms. If you give up assets or agree to unfavorable terms, it will be difficult to get a fair settlement if your spouse wants to go through with the divorce.

Mistake #4

Hurting your spouse at the expense of your children - How you behave throughout the divorce process can affect the amount of child support you receive or impact the terms of your custody agreement. Your behavior can also affect your children's relationship with your spouse. Instead of arguing with your spouse or telling your children negative things about their mother or father, focus on protecting your future by making good decisions.

Mistake #5

Focusing on short-term gains instead of your future - Many people focus on making short-term financial gains, but you should really be thinking about your future. If you have the choice between $5,000 cash or an investment account with $3,500 in it, you might be tempted to take the cash. However, the investment account could be worth much more in ten or twenty years.

Mistake #6

Fight over small things instead of focusing on the big picture - Many people use up a lot of energy fighting over who will get small items that don't have much value. Instead of fighting over the small things, focus on getting a fair settlement.

Mistake #7

Being dishonest by hiding assets or lying to your spouse - Don't be tempted to hide your assets or lie to your spouse about your income. If your spouse hires a forensic accountant, the account will be able to find hidden assets and determine the true state of your financial affairs.

Mistake #8

Making decisions that conflict with your attorney's advice - You hired a Texas family law attorney to get professional advice from someone who understands the law. If you go against your attorney's advice, it could have a negative impact on the outcome of your case.

Mistake #9

Fail to protect your financial future - You might hesitate to close joint accounts, but you should do so as soon as you initiate divorce proceedings. If you do not take this important step, your spouse could bounce checks, exceed your credit limit, or withdraw all of the money in the accounts.

Mistake #10

Take too long to make decisions - It's important not to make hasty decisions that put your future in jeopardy, but it's also possible to take too much time to make decisions that won't affect the outcome of your divorce case. The more you delay making a decision, the more time your spouse has to ask for additional assets or make changes to terms you've already discussed.

If you are getting divorced, your top priorities should be protecting your financial future and ensuring your children maintain positive relationships with both of their parents. Avoiding these ten common mistakes will give you a much better chance of receiving a fair settlement.

About the Author:

If you are in need of legal assistance, NED Gill provides the best divorce attorneys in Houston Texas regarding divorce and family law matter. I can help you.