5 Common Mistakes with Getting Divorced and How to Avoid Them
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Going through a divorce can be an extremely emotional process, with a lot at stake for both parties. While divorce is very common, there are still many mistakes people make along the way when getting a divorce.
Before you head into divorce, you must know what you’re signing up for and the mistakes to avoid. Read on to learn about the most common mistakes with getting divorced and how to avoid them.
1. Attempting to Do a DIY Divorce
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is attempting to do a DIY divorce – aka, not hiring lawyers. Many people avoid hiring attorneys to make the divorce process simple and cheap.
However, doing a “DIY divorce” usually has the opposite effect. Things can get complicated quickly, and without a lawyer to explain the legal jargon, you may put more time and resources than intended into settling your divorce.
Hiring a divorce lawyer will likely save you time, money, and stress. Not to mention, your attorney can be a valuable source of support during a time of need.
2. Forcing Your Kids to Take Sides
Figuring out custody is usually one of the biggest issues couples deal with when getting a divorce. While custody battles can get messy, you should never force your child to take sides during a divorce.
The best thing you can do for your children is to remind them that both parents love them and will always be there for them. Don’t make your child take sides, and resist the urge to badmouth your ex in front of your child, no matter how poorly your ex behaves.
That being said, you still want to be truthful to your kids about the divorce. Don’t hide the fact that you’re getting divorced, and let your children know that you’re open to answering any questions they have.
3. Having Unrealistic Expectations
Many people go into divorce thinking their spouse will be amicable and fair and they’ll get everything they want. However, this is rarely the case.
While you can hope that your spouse treats you fairly during the divorce proceedings, don’t bank on it. Divorce can quickly turn messy, so try to go in with realistic expectations about how they’ll behave and what you’ll get out of it.
4. Allowing Family Members to Interfere
Chances are, some of your family members have strong opinions about your divorce and your ex-spouse. Whatever you do, don’t allow your family members to influence your decision-making or interfere with the process.
While family members are great sources of emotional support, you should always turn to your lawyer with any legal questions or concerns.
5. Allowing Emotions to Get in the Way
While going through a divorce is an incredibly emotional process, you shouldn’t make emotional decisions during the divorce process. Do everything you can to separate your emotions from what’s happening, and avoid acting out of anger, fear, or jealousy.
Again, this is another reason to hire an attorney, as they can help you navigate the process while you’re feeling emotional.
Mistakes With Getting Divorced: Time to Move Forward
Some mistakes with getting divorced are tough to avoid. It can be difficult not to let your emotions get the best of you at times. However, hiring an attorney will help you put your emotions aside and move on with your life.
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