The team at Wasserman Family Law knows all too well that divorce can be very emotional, and can get messy if care is not taken every step of the way.
Here are our top 10 do’s and don’ts of divorce.
Do:
Do hire an experienced family law attorney. Divorce can quickly become complicated. An experienced family law attorney will advise you on the issues of alimony, child support, child custody, and division of marital property. Your attorney will also give you options on the best way to finalize your divorce, whether it be through an agreement, mediation, or going to court.
Do put your children’s best interest first. No matter how old your children are, the divorce should stay between you and the other parent. A child should not be shown court papers or asked to pick sides.
Do consider the support of a therapist or counselor. Therapy and counseling can be extremely beneficial for people going through a divorce. We always encourage our clients to consider hiring a professional to talk about what they are going through and receive expert guidance regarding their mental health.
Do be honest with your attorney. Your attorney needs to know what may come up in the case in order to prepare accordingly. The last thing you want is for your attorney to be caught by surprise in the middle of a court battle.
Do adjust your budget. No matter who you are, divorce will have a financial impact on your life. Your lifestyle may change for the short term or the long term. Consult your attorney before making any big purchases or cuts to budgets.
Don’t:
Don’t try to handle your divorce on your own. People who try to handle their divorce on their own often become quickly overwhelmed and lost in the legal requirements. Do not waste time and money trying to take matters into your own hands. Hire an experienced family law attorney to handle your divorce for you, so you can focus on the day-to-day matters impacting your family.
Don’t hide any information or assets. Secrets are always discovered, especially when it comes to a battle in court. If you try to hide anything from your ex and the court and they find out, your credibility will be diminished and your case will be negatively affected.
Don’t ignore agreements or Court orders. If you have agreed, or the court has ordered you to do something, abide by their ruling. The last thing you want to do is disregard a legal order and face penalties for your actions. Not only this, but you can jeopardize your case and everything you worked for or are working towards.
Don’t forget to update important legal documents. If you have estate planning or financial documents that include your ex, be sure to consult with your attorney as soon as possible to determine if these need to be updated.
Don’t forget to keep a record. Keeping careful notes of communications and calendars may come in handy if your case ends up in litigation. It is also helpful to communicate in writing as those can be used as evidence as well. Your communications should be factual and focused on resolving the issue, and not an opportunity to vent about what happened in the past.
If you have questions about divorce, please contact Laurie Wasserman at laurie@wassermanlawoffice.com or 410-842-1070. The legal team at Wasserman Family Law is here to help guide and advocate for you.
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