Divorce is complicated, and for divorcing parties, this is the first time they have interacted with the court system. As such, they can easily fall into traps that can get them in big trouble, Whether it is hiding assets, talking directly with their soon-to-be former spouse about the settlement when the case is in the hands of their attorneys or other mistakes that can be costly and harm the outcome of the divorce.
Mistakes to avoid making during divorce
- Refrain from lying to your attorney or failing to produce accurate financial information.
- Only speak to the other party with your attorney present.
- Remember that the children should be the first consideration in any divorce.
- Do not dwell on the past. Divorce is about dissolving the marriage and moving forward.
- Do not refuse to compromise. Flexible parties are more likely to have a more successful outcome in their divorce settlement.
Especially avoid serious missteps
While these mistakes may seem commonsensical, they are much more common than you may expect. What is worse, parties frequently make serious mistakes and get caught by the courts. For example:
- Disclosing confidential information outside of the attorney-client relationship.
- Hiding or destroying essential documents that should be handed over during the discovery process.
- Making large purchases, going on luxurious vacations, buying property or jewelry and spending money from the marital account during the divorce proceedings.
Serious consequences for serious mistakes
Courts have a process that everyone going through a divorce must adhere to. These severe mistakes could result in the court holding an individual in contempt and demanding that the person return the money spent to the marital bank account and perhaps even pay a fine or the other party’s attorney fees.
Mistakes can be costly, and knowing what mistakes are, especially those that can get you in trouble in the context of divorce is critical. If you need to know whether something is correct in the eyes of the court, ask your attorney. They can point you in the right direction.