Divorce is not a decision that comes easily or that you should take lightly. Because it can take an emotional and financial toll, it is important that you work with an attorney that will make sure the legal process is as smooth as possible. At The Law Office of Tania K. Harvey, our collaborative divorce attorney Wheaton IL has the experience and compassion to make sure this process is as painless as possible. Contact us today for a free consultation at 312-803-5845 for a free consultation.
While it may seem like you’ll never get back the love and happiness you once had, divorce is a chance to start over again and make things right. However, divorcing can be difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong or how to avoid common pitfalls. Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when divorcing.
1. Being vindictive or spiteful during the divorce process
It is common to feel upset and even angry when a divorce is looming on the horizon. And, if the other party has done something to hurt you emotionally, like having an affair, it may feel like the opportunity to get back at them. However, the legal process of divorce can be longer and more costly when people operate in a spiteful or vindictive manner.
You may think you are hurting your partner or getting back at them by refusing to acknowledge what they are entitled to financially or in regards to custody. The more you push back and take unreasonable positions, the more time and money it will cost to get to an agreement. In addition, if you have children, these tactics can cause more emotional trauma for them. You don’t want your children to have more pain, so it is best to remain calm and take a reasonable approach.
Don’t let your emotions get the best of you: we’ve seen people make rash decisions based on anger and hurt feelings when going through a divorce, and then come back later wishing they had acted differently during those times. This is especially true if children are involved and you will be seeing your former partner and co-parenting with them. A collaborative divorce attorney Wheaton IL can help you work through these challenging emotions and take a more even handed approach to your divorce.
2. Not having a plan for the future
It’s important to know what you want from the divorce, and it’s equally important to know what you don’t want. You might think that this is obvious, but there are some things that might not be so easy for us. You need to make sure you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to long term goals and the future. Some common questions to consider are:
- Who will be moving to a new place?
- Will your career be impacted?
- What lifestyle changes will there be?
- How will the children be affected? What do you want co-parenting to look like?
- How are you and your partner both going to maintain financial stability?
- What professional help might you need to move forward?
Collaborative divorce is an approach focused on creating outcomes that are best for everyone. You and your collaborative divorce attorney Wheaton IL will be able to work effectively with your partner and their representation to establish future goals and make sure they are realized.
3. Sharing too much information with your children can be harmful
When you’re going through a divorce, it can be tempting to tell your children everything that’s going on. However, this is not always the best idea. It can be difficult for kids when their parents are fighting with each other and making decisions about how the family will be run in the future.
In order to protect your child from feeling overwhelmed by all these changes, try not sharing too much information with them unless they ask questions directly related to what’s happening in their lives or yours. If possible, try not letting kids take sides as this can lead them down an emotional path where there isn’t any middle ground between two extremes.
When children have too many details about the issues in you and your partner’s relationship, it may be difficult for them to maintain a strong relationship with one or both parents. It is important that they have someone to go to during this difficult time, so you want to make sure they feel safe, protected, and supported.
4. Hiding assets or withholding information will make the process difficult
Hiding assets or withholding information is a big mistake that can have serious consequences. If you hide assets, it’s likely that your spouse will find out and ask for more in the divorce settlement. Lying about anything related to money is never a good idea in divorce proceedings. It’s better to be honest from the start rather than have things come out later on in court or through discovery processes. This can lead up to things like perjury charges being filed against one party or both parties involved in the case.
You should avoid having any bank accounts that are not disclosed during discovery processes because this could lead up again to perjury charges.
5. Getting a lawyer who is not a good fit for you
When you’re going through a divorce, it can be easy to get caught up in the emotions of the situation and forget that your attorney is there to help you. That is why it is important to choose a lawyer that will help you focus on your future goals and make sure everyone works together so that they are realized.
A collaborative divorce is one where both parties work with their attorneys toward mutual goals instead of against each other. Collaborative lawyers focus on finding solutions rather than simply winning cases by any means necessary. They will also encourage open communication among all parties involved in order for everyone involved to understand what needs doing before moving forward with anything else.
Contact our collaborative divorce attorney Wheaton IL for a free consultation today
Divorce is not the end of your life, it’s a way to start over and make sure you have a fulfilling future. It’s important to remember that divorce is one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. After divorce, people often feel lost, sad and angry. They may even question whether or not they made the right decision by ending their marriage. However, there are ways for you to make sure that these feelings don’t get in the way of your future happiness.
Make sure you approach the divorce process in a calm manner and have a plan for what you want to see in the future. Don’t share information with your children that can be harmful to them or their relationship with their parents. Do not hide assets or money and make sure you have a collaborative divorce attorney Wheaton IL to advocate for you.
Divorce is a difficult situation to be in, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelmingly negative experience. By keeping these five mistakes in mind and avoiding them as much as possible, you can make sure that your divorce goes smoothly and ends up being beneficial for everyone involved.
