Divorce can be a stressful time, filled with high emotions, worry, and tension. There are many different factors that affect your overall outcomes, as well as some key pitfalls to watch out for throughout this process. Here we have identified 7 key mistakes you should work to avoid as you navigate this process alongside your divorce lawyer in Harris County.
Ask a Divorce Lawyer: 7 Mistakes to Avoid During a Divorce
1. Poor Communication
The easiest agreements to reach during a divorce are those that come from parties who calmly communicate their needs and wants. Maintaining open communication can be difficult, especially if emotions are high. However, doing so can save you a tremendous amount of time, energy, and money in the long run.
Take advantage of mediation opportunities to share your reasonable expectations for the outcome of your divorce. Be sure to also listen to what the opposing party has to say, and try to see if there is common ground where you can meet in the middle. This may not always be possible, but is worth the effort if you can do so.
2. Leaving Your Lawyer in the Dark
Not being honest and upfront with your lawyer about the details of your situation can hurt your chances in the long run. Your lawyer is there to be your advocate and to help you reach the best possible outcome in your divorce. However, they can only represent you fully if they know all of the details of your case in advance.
It is always a possibility that information you haven’t disclosed will be revealed during the divorce proceedings. This can hurt your case, so you should make sure your lawyer is aware of any revelations that may be made by the opposing party. This holds true regardless of whether the information reflects well on you or paints you in a negative light.
3. Letting Emotion Rule Your Actions
Going through a divorce is an emotional time, and you certainly may experience feelings of anger, guilt, sadness, or possibly even a desire for revenge. However, if you allow these feelings to affect the decisions you make, you will likely make illogical choices that can have a negative impact later on.
If you feel as though your emotions are clouding your judgment, be sure to talk to your lawyer about it. Working through these emotions is the best way to ensure your judgment is clear when you need it to be, and having another perspective on the issue is always valuable for making logical decisions.
4. Pulling Children Into the Mix
Parties who share children need to take special care to not pull the children into any arguments or conflicts that may arise. Children are not intermediaries between the adults in their lives, just as they are not messengers from one party to the other. If you’re unable to communicate with the other parent, direct all communication to your attorney.
Putting children in the middle of your arguments can cause permanent psychological damage to your children, and may even affect your parent-child relationship in the long run. Divorce already impacts children in a variety of different ways, and there is no need to make this time harder for them than it may already be.
5. Not Putting Agreements in Writing
Sometimes in the spirit of compromise or maintaining communication, parties in a divorce will verbally agree to arrangements that have not been put into writing. This can especially be the case with parents who may make verbal agreements regarding arrangements for their shared children.
As harsh as it may sound, you should never trust another party to stick to their verbal agreements and should always protect yourself by having everything in writing. This is largely due to the fact that verbal agreements are extremely difficult to enforce. A written arrangement, however, proves that both parties agreed to the terms and can be enforced if one party stops honoring the agreement at a later date.
6. Forgetting the Small Details
Everyone involved with your divorce process is human, and humans can make mistakes. Always pay close attention to all documents and agreements you sign, and check them over to ensure the information is accurate. This rule is especially important when reviewing documents that have been drafted by the opposing party’s attorney.
Once you sign a document and it has been filed, it can be very difficult to change going forward. You could accidentally sign and agree to something you never intended to if you do not fully look over everything you are given. If you do spot something incorrect, do not sign the document and discuss the issue with your lawyer as soon as possible.
7. Not Choosing a Divorce Lawyer in Harris County
While not a requirement, there is often a benefit in hiring a lawyer who regularly works in your county and can offer insight based on that experience. In situations like this, having a lawyer who is familiar with navigating the courts in your area can only improve your outcomes.
Such a lawyer will likely be familiar with the opposing attorneys, the court’s judges, courthouse clerks, and other key players in your area, and can build a strategy based on this knowledge. This means that for Harris County residents, choosing divorce lawyers in Harris County, TX would be a good option to ensure they have direct experience working in your area.
Divorce is certainly a process that can be filled with high emotions, stress, and tension. However, you can navigate it smoothly by being careful to avoid the critical mistakes we’ve identified here. At the end of the day, your outcomes can only improve if you go into this process with a willingness to communicate, are honest and forthcoming, and pay attention to the little details.
