How To Avoid The 10 Most Common Divorce Mistakes

Getting a divorce is a stressful process and, as the majority of us will only get divorced once in our lifetime, it is often a new and unknown experience – which is why it’s all too easy for mistakes to be made along the way.

To help you if you’re going through a divorce, we’ve highlighted the 10 most common divorce mistakes so you can do your best to avoid them.

The 10 Most Common Divorce Mistakes

• Failing To Plan
  A lack of financial planning can result in you getting a smaller slice of the marital assets. Be sure to work with your solicitor and financial adviser to secure the finances that are fair and you deserve.
• No Financial Order
  You need a financial order to provide a clean break and cut your financial ties with your ex-partner. Your decree absolute is not enough on its own and your solicitor will help to draft a financial order for you.
• Accepting A Lump Sum In Place Of Child Maintenance Money
  Make sure you agree to monthly child maintenance payments and don’t be tempted to accept a bigger share of the marital assets or a lump sum instead.
• Choosing A Court Order Straightaway
  Going to court is stressful and costly so be sure to use your solicitor and opt for negotiation and mediation as initial strategies for reaching an agreement with your ex-partner – the process will be far less stressful and you are much more likely to get what you want from it.
• Remarrying Before Financial Order In Place
  If you remarry before you have the decree absolute through, it could complicate your divorce proceedings. You may lose your right to apply for a financial order if you remarry before having one in place, although any pension claims can still be made even if you do remarry.
• Involving The Children
  Children are too young to deal with the complexities of a divorce and should be made aware that it is okay for them to have a relationship with both of their parents.
• Expecting Your Ex Partner To Change
  It is highly unlikely your ex-partner will change and that endless court orders will make a difference to any unreasonable behaviour – instead, it’s a good idea to focus on working with your solicitor to manage how you respond to them throughout proceedings.
• Taking Legal Advice From Friends And Family
  Friends and family are there for emotional support – you need legal advice from a qualified, experienced solicitor only.
• Messaging Friends Online
  Be wary of posting anything on social media or texting friends with anything that you wouldn’t be happy for a judge to see in the future.
• Doing It All Alone
  Divorces are a complex area of law and it’s important you seek legal assistance if you’re going through a divorce – your solicitor will help you to understand your options and the process before you agree to anything or sign any documents.

If you would like advice on the divorce process or want professional legal guidance to ensure your divorce goes through as smoothly and efficiently as possible, please contact our specialist divorce solicitors at our Chorlton office on 0161 860 7123 or email chorlton@hlfberry.com or at our Failsworth office on 0161 681 4005 or email failsworth@hlfberry.com