Five Things to Avoid When Getting Divorced

If you’re separated or getting a divorce, there’s a laundry list of things you should and shouldn’t do, some of which are counterintuitive. You can avoid making common mistakes by keeping the following in mind:
1. Don’t maintain the status quo.
For example, paying the bills for the family home while you rent a small apartment. Rather than supporting two households, your spouse should seek employment and become self-supporting. Otherwise (depending on the length of the marriage), you may be supporting them for a long time.
2. Don’t move out of your house.
The chance of sharing equal time with your children after you move out of the house is far less than if you remained in the home. Also, your chance of retrieving personal items after moving is almost nil. The best advice is, don’t do it (unless it is unsafe to stay).
3. Don’t start dating.
If anything, go to marriage counseling and try to repair your marriage. Dating right away can alienate not only your spouse but also your children, who may feel you’re abandoning them to move on with some else.
4. Don’t make oral agreements with your spouse.
Avoid making oral agreements regarding child custody, visitation, division of assets, the date of your separation, etc. Sure, as you’re reading these words, the person with whom you think you have an agreement, will deny it or have a different version of the facts. If you’ve reached an agreement, put it in writing, and have both people sign and date.
5. Don’t share your intent to divorce.
If you tell others about your intentions, you’ll undoubtedly receive endless suggestions about how they think you should handle your situation. However, if you want good advice, consult with an experienced attorney and listen to what they tell you. They can provide professional, relevant advice based on your specific situation.
If you are contemplating divorce, contact The Reape-Rickett Law Firm at 888-846-6166 or visit www.DivorceDigest.com to meet with an experienced attorney today.