Divorce Don’ts: Avoid These 6 Actions During a Divorce
Posted on: March 8, 2019
Going through a divorce can be a traumatic experience but it doesn’t have to be. This is an emotional time for many people and it is understandable that impulsive mistakes are made. That said, when you work with an experienced divorce attorney like Law Office of Michael L. Fell, we can help you avoid potentially costly mistakes, including the following.
- Trying to Get Revenge by Overspending
- Complaining on Social Media
- Avoid Social Media Altogether
- Do Not Attempt to Hide Assets
- Don’t Drag Your Feet in Producing Documents
- Don’t Move Out if You Want Custody
It is a common occurrence for one spouse to be angry and decide to get revenge by spending. They might max out the credit cards, buy a new car, or otherwise spend money that is the property of both spouses. Though technically this is martial debt and if it occurs during the marriage it belongs to both you and your spouse. However, if you have obviously run up bills just to get back at your spouse, the judge will see this – and they will likely reduce your settlement as a result.
You are going through a tough time and you want to blow off steam – that’s normal. However, you should do so face to face with people that you trust. Anything you post on social media – or anywhere on the internet – could potentially be used against you.
In fact, the best option is to avoid social media. You may be surprised by how a seemingly innocent post could cause trouble during a divorce. For example, perhaps you had a long week at work and decided to go out with friends for a few drinks. Pictures of you drinking could be used in an attempt to prove you are not a good parent and should not get custody rights.
This is a huge mistake. You may think that you have hidden away assets somewhere they will never be found, but trust us when we tell you that the judge is likely to discover it. When they do, it will significantly discredit you and could negatively impact your case.
You will need to produce documents both for your attorney and your spouse’s attorney. We know this may not feel like a priority, but the longer you take, the longer this will drag on. When you are asked for documents, hand them over.
If you and your spouse have a child or children, and you are planning on trying to get partial or full custody, then you should not move out of the house. One of the many factors a judge will take into consideration when deciding custody matters is where the child is currently living. The goal is not to upset the child’s life anymore than is necessary. As a result, if you have already moved out and left your child with your spouse, it is much more likely that it will stay that way.
