No one goes into a marriage expecting divorce; divorce, however, is a process that tests people and their limits, and it's difficult to navigate with a calm head. If you find yourself going down this road, do yourself two favors: hire an attorney and avoid these three common pitfalls.
1. Hiding Finances
This isn't just one of the most common mistakes; it's one of the most costly. Whether you are trying to hang on to your investments and assets, lying about any financial situation is a crime. Each state has different specific penalties, but fines and jail time are common. You might be tempted to think that you only have to keep things quiet until the divorce is finalized, and then you'll be ok; this is one of the few conditions that enable a judge to reopen a divorce for a judgment modification and reallocate money and goods. Don't hide your finances; trust your lawyer to protect your interest through legal means.
2. Resisting Compromise
Let's state the simple fact: divorce is messy. Things will rarely go your way unless your spouse makes significant mistakes. Embracing compromise is the best way to diffuse tensions and make the process less miserable; it can also entice cooperation from the other side, letting you get what matters most out of your divorce.
3. Involving a New Partner
Infidelity is one of the most common reasons to get a divorce; maybe you found the true love of your life post-marriage...that's ok! If the new relationship is so important to you, it's worth a little wait. Being patient throughout this process, regardless of your new relationship, will be your best bet. Involving a new partner in discussions or meetings is an easy way to inflate emotions. If you want to avoid making divorce more complicated than it already is, do not involve other partners.
If you're looking for a professional men's divorce attorney to help you and your case, contact the experts at Gerkin & Decker today!