Preventable Mistakes During Divorce

No two divorces are the same, so it can be difficult to prepare for all issues and events that could arise during the proceedings. There are, however, a few steps that divorcing parties can take to avoid otherwise preventable mistakes. To learn more about how to help your own divorce go as smoothly as possible, you should contact an experienced divorce attorney who can address your questions and concerns.

Common Mistakes  

While there’s no way to prepare for every eventuality that could occur during the process of obtaining a divorce, it is possible to avoid major issues that could derail or prolong the proceedings. For instance, going into a divorce with realistic expectations and an open mind can make all the difference to the outcome. In many cases, those who remain rigid when it comes to dividing certain types of property or sharing custody make it difficult, if not impossible, to negotiate or compromise. This can seriously delay the conclusion of divorce proceedings, costing the parties more money, time, and worry in the long run. Divorcing parties are also encouraged to avoid the following mistakes:

• Refusing to remain cordial during the proceedings, which can be especially harmful to any children that a couple may have and can also have far-reaching repercussions, even after the divorce is finalized;
• Failing to create a property division checklist detailing which assets fall under the category of marital property, including jointly owned real estate and vehicles, retirement and pension accounts, life insurance policies, and business interests, as this can make it much easier for the other party to hide assets or attempt to retain assets that are actually the separate property of one spouse;
• Failing to take an approach that focuses primarily on a couple’s children, whose well-being should come first during these types of proceedings;
• Forgetting to take taxes into account when making decisions about property division, as transferring assets, including real estate, investments, and cash can come with surprising and expensive tax penalties;
• Failing to produce accurate financial information, including the amount of debt accumulated during the marriage, which can delay proceedings and could also result in allegations of marital waste; and
• Declining to make a realistic budget that reflects not only the couple’s lifestyle during the marriage, but also projected future bills and expenses, including potential child support and alimony payments.

Those who approach the divorce process correctly can avoid these kinds of mistakes. Staying organized and ensuring that each party knows his or her legal rights and options can go a long way towards eliminating issues that could otherwise derail the proceedings completely. Open communication is also crucial to the successful outcome of divorces, both between the parties, and the parties’ children, but also with their forensic accountants and legal representatives.

Contact an Experienced Divorce Attorney Today  

While the divorce process can be emotional and time-consuming, it does not have to be overly stressful. To learn more about avoiding the biggest divorce-related mistakes, please call dedicated Fort Lauderdale divorce attorney Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591.

Resource:

huffingtonpost.com/cheryl-and-joe-dillon/common-divorce-mistakes_b_6057888.html