Going through a divorce can be emotionally draining. It signals the end of a romantic relationship. However, divorce is also a chance for a new beginning.
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to make the process go as smoothly as possible. This starts with trying to put negative emotions such as revenge to one side. Avoiding these common mistakes could also help.
Not limiting social media use
Ideally, nobody going through a divorce would use social media, but this is a big ask. Nonetheless, users can carefully monitor how they use social media. For example, posting about the divorce at all is never a good idea.
Users also need to be careful about the other information they post. For instance, even a picture can be taken out of context. A night out with friends could be portrayed in court as “living a lavish lifestyle”. Not only could this impact the divorce, but it could also affect custody cases when children are involved.
Failing to prepare
Some divorcing spouses make the mistake of thinking that they are completely at the mercy of the courts. This is not the case. Many, if not most, details can be negotiated out of court. This can make the divorce much more efficient and less costly, but it requires preparation.
Each spouse can itemize their property and prioritize what they want to keep and what is negotiable. For example, can the family home be sold or does one spouse want to keep living there? Which items have sentimental value and are not up for negotiation?
Spouses should also have their paperwork ready. This includes:
- Tax documents
- Marriage certificates
- Estate plans
- Property deeds
- Tax returns
Failing to prepare is a common mistake that can result in unnecessary delays. It’s beneficial to get legal guidance as early as possible.
