Avoid these common divorce mistakes.No matter why your marriage is ending, no divorce is ever completely painless. There are plenty of ways to make the process run more smoothly for everyone involved, however.

Five Major Divorce Mistakes to Avoid in New York

The bottom line is that you’re already dealing with a stressful situation leading up to the dissolution of your marriage. Don’t make life harder on yourself by making any of these five common divorce mistakes:

  1. Assuming assets are safe. Half of anything the two of you acquired during the marriage is potentially up for grabs, which is why you need to be aware of the financial situation in your household. Contact a divorce lawyer quickly if you suspect your spouse is re-titling assets to hide them from you.
  2. Going through the process without help. An attorney is crucial to protecting your legal rights, ensuring any settlement proposal is fair, and helping you avoid other costly legal mistakes.
  3. Posting on social media. You likely have grievances against your spouse, and the urge to share them online is always strong. Resist that urge at all costs. Even if you limit who can view your posts, the risk is too high that comments will cause strife within your family or lead to problems if you end up having to go to court later.
  4. Refusing to consider mediation. You might not be interested in amicable solutions with your soon-to-be ex. That’s understandable, but it's also a major mistake. Unless you are dealing with abuse or your spouse is hiding assets, it is often faster, cheaper, and less emotionally draining to mediate terms together. 
  5. Using children as a bargaining tool. Involving children in the divorce process can easily create a negative long-term impact on your relationships. Leave them out of the equation as much as possible. 

Finally, don’t forget that your legal needs don’t end as soon as the divorce is finalized. There are other important steps to take after a divorce. Make sure to ask your attorney about updating your will or changing beneficiaries for your various accounts. 

Talk to an Experienced Divorce Attorney ASAP

There’s a lot on the line in a divorce, from financial considerations to the well-being of yourself and your kids. Talk to a divorce lawyer to avoid legal mistakes and come up with a financial plan for how you will take care of your needs after the divorce takes effect.