Gregory Ricks 
Divorce can be very stressful. It’s a process that can be emotionally and mentally draining, and it can be easy to make mistakes during this challenging time. That’s why an experienced lawyer on your side will be a very important asset throughout the process.
Lawyers from family law firms like JWB Family Law have worked on a large number of cases like yours and have the necessary knowledge and skill to confidently guide you through the divorce. Still, your lawyer can only help you to a certain extent, which is why it’s important to stay levelheaded and avoid typical mistakes people make during this process.
What to avoid doing during a divorce?
When going through a divorce, it is important to remember that you need to take care of yourself first and foremost. You should avoid doing anything that could potentially make the situation worse, especially from a law standpoint. Some things to avoid include:
1. Not Hiring a Divorce Lawyer
One of the most common and crucial mistakes people make during a divorce is not hiring a qualified divorce lawyer. Trying to navigate the divorce process without professional help is a recipe for disaster. A good divorce lawyer will act as your advocate, provide guidance and support, and help you avoid making costly mistakes.
2. Not Gathering Financial Documents
Divorce involves dividing up all of the assets and debts that have been accumulated during the marriage. To ensure an equitable division of property, both parties need to full disclosure of all financial assets and liabilities.
This includes bank statements, investment account statements, retirement account statements, tax returns, and more. Failing to disclose all assets and liabilities can result in an unfair property division or even legal penalties.
3. Making Decisions Based on Emotion
It’s no secret that emotions run high during divorce, but it’s important to keep them in check as much as possible when making decisions about things like child custody, spousal support, and property division.
Once these decisions are made, they are often difficult to change. So before agreeing to anything, take some time to think things through logically and consider how the decision will impact your life in the long-term.
4. Refusing to Compromise
In any divorce negotiation, there will be areas where both parties have valid points but cannot see eye-to-eye. In these situations, it’s important to be willing to compromise in order to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both sides.
Otherwise, you may find yourself locked in a stalemate that drags out the divorce process and only increases the animosity between you and your ex-spouse.
5. Violating Court Orders
If you violate any court orders that have been put in place during the divorce proceedings (e.g., failing to make child support payments or violating a restraining order), you could face serious legal consequences such as contempt of court charges or even jail time. It’s important to follow all court orders ‘to the letter’ until the divorce is finalized, at which point they may no longer be binding unless incorporated into your final Judgment.
While going through a divorce is never easy, there are steps you can take to make the process as smooth as possible—and avoid making common mistakes that can exacerbate conflict and prolong proceedings. Above all else, remember to stay calm, level headed, and organized throughout the process, all with the help of an experienced attorney.
