The Role of a Family Law Attorney in Divorce Cases

Family Law Attorney in Divorce Cases

Going through a divorce is more than just a legal transaction; it’s a deeply complex process that can profoundly affect your emotional and financial well-being. That’s why having a family law attorney by your side is invaluable. They advocate for your personal and financial interests, helping to secure a stable future for you and your loved ones. This blog covers how a family law attorney can help guide you through each step of your divorce, offering support and protecting your rights.

 

Advocacy and Legal Representation

A family law attorney acts as your advocate, representing you in court and negotiations with your spouse’s attorney. They are skilled in the legal strategies necessary to present your case effectively, arguing on your behalf regarding various issues such as property division, child custody, alimony, and child support. Their expertise is particularly valuable in contested divorce cases, where the parties cannot agree on these terms independently.

 

Understanding Legal Rights and Obligations

Many individuals entering a divorce do not fully understand their legal rights and obligations. A family law attorney provides clarity on these matters, keeping you informed about what you are entitled to and what you are legally obliged to do. This includes explaining how assets might be divided, how child support is calculated, and what factors influence custody arrangements.

 

Mediation

Divorce often involves intense emotions and disputes over sensitive issues. Some attorneys are certified mediators, helping to facilitate discussions that lead to amicable settlements without the need for prolonged court battles. By mediating between you and your spouse, an attorney can help find common ground and solutions that benefit both parties, potentially saving time, money, and stress.  It’s important to understand that mediators do not represent either party.  They are neutral and work with both parties to try to find a compromise and resolution.

 

Handling Legal Documentation

The divorce process involves a plethora of documents, from petitions and property agreements to court orders. A family law attorney ensures that all necessary paperwork is filled out correctly and filed timely, adhering to the legal standards and deadlines. Mistakes in legal documents can lead to delays or unfavorable outcomes in divorce proceedings. An attorney’s meticulous attention to detail helps avoid such pitfalls.

 

Offering Objective Advice

During a divorce, it’s common for emotions to cloud judgment. A family law attorney offers objective, unbiased advice that helps you make rational decisions. Whether it’s deciding whether to settle or go to trial, or figuring out the best arrangements for your children, an attorney can provide guidance based on their experience and knowledge of the law, rather than emotion.  

Preparing for Trial

There can be numerous court appearances where your attorney speaks on your behalf.  If, however, your divorce goes to trial,   a family law attorney prepares you for what to expect. This preparation includes coaching you on how to present yourself, what information to convey, and how to handle cross-examinations. Preparation can make a significant difference in the courtroom, where judges appreciate well-organized and clearly presented cases.  Prior to even getting to this point in your case, your attorney will discuss the pros and cons of moving forward with a trial as opposed to trying to settle the case and taking advantage of the court’s conciliation program.

 

Conciliation

The courts offer parties the chance to go to conciliation.  Like mediation, a conciliator is an unbiased attorney that volunteers their time to work with the parties’ and their attorneys on issues that they have been unable to settle. 

 

Protecting Your Future

Ultimately, a family law attorney’s role is to protect your interests    . This includes advocating for fair financial settlements and custody arrangements that protect your children’s well-being, based upon the facts of your case. They can also provide referrals to other needed resources such as financial advisors, counselors, or parenting classes.

 

Going through a divorce without a family law attorney can significantly increase the risks of unfavorable outcomes. Without expert legal guidance, you may misunderstand your rights and obligations, potentially leading to agreements that jeopardize your financial stability and parental rights. The legal system can be intricate and unforgiving for those unfamiliar with family law, making it easy to become overwhelmed and make costly mistakes. 

 

Initially many people enter a divorce case without legal representation.  And it is only after that they realize they are not equipped to handle the case without a trained professional.  This can sometimes cause problems in cases, especially if the court has already issued temporary orders.  

 

DaMore Law: Expert Family Law Services

Facing a divorce is undeniably one of life’s most difficult challenges, both emotionally and legally. At DaMore Law, we understand the complexities and the personal stakes involved. Our family law attorneys are here not only to navigate the legal intricacies but also to offer the emotional support and expert guidance needed to move forward with confidence and assurance. Our comprehensive family law services are designed to protect your interests thoroughly, ensuring every legal detail is handled with care.

 

If you are experiencing the strains of a divorce and need assistance, DaMore Law is ready to support you. Our team is committed to delivering personalized legal strategies that lead to fair and constructive outcomes. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or to begin the process of legal representation. We are here to help you secure a positive future.


Divorce Mediation vs. Litigation: Which Is Right For You?

Going through a divorce is stressful. But even if the situation between you and your partner is tense, that doesn’t meet you have to endure a long court battle. Choosing the right legal process and having a good lawyer on your side can help smooth the challenges of the divorce process. In this blog, we’ll cover the difference between mediation vs. litigation to help you decide which is right for you.

What is litigation?

Litigation is when a couple must appear in court to settle an issue that both parties cannot agree upon—like child support, spousal support, or how to divide property. A judge will hear both sides of the case and make a decision on how the issue or issues will be settled. By filing a divorce complaint, the petitioner or the filing spouse is asking that the court decide the outcome of the divorce and officially end the marriage through a particular set of legal procedures. 

A litigated divorce ends after a trial overseen by a family court judge. Although spouses can represent themselves in a litigated divorce, many choose to hire lawyers to provide advice, argue their positions, and navigate the court system and its procedures.

Litigation can be expensive and time-consuming, sometimes taking a year or more to resolve and finalize the divorce. During a litigated divorce, the couple can settle at any time and change their case to an uncontested divorce. However, typically most couples don’t settle until after the trial.

What is mediation?

Divorce mediation is a method of “alternative dispute resolution” (ADR). The goal is to help couples settle their issues without lengthy and costly court battles. Mediation usually occurs in a relatively informal and non-confrontational setting, such as a mediator’s office.

The mediator does not represent either party but instead acts as an unbiased third party with the goal of facilitating a peaceful resolution. Mediators also do not decide the outcome of the divorce. They instead help the couple reach a compromise and create a marital settlement agreement. Once the couples reach this agreement, they will be able to finalize an uncontested divorce.

The mediation process may be one session, or it may last a few weeks or more. How long divorce mediation takes depends on: the number of topics to be addressed and their complexity, as well as how willing the spouses are to cooperate with each other. 

Mediation provides couples with more control of the process than they would have in a litigated divorce. Although spouses are allowed to have lawyers with them in a mediation session, many choose to represent themselves or consult with a lawyer outside of sessions. Even with the costs covering a mediator and attorneys, mediation tends to be less expensive than litigation. 

DaMore Family Law

Getting a divorce can be one of the most emotional experiences that someone can go through. There are many issues that need to be addressed, including alimony, health insurance, child custody, child support, to name a few. We have the training, experience and temperament to assist you through this difficult and emotional time. Contact us for assistance with your divorce case.


Why Hiring A Divorce Attorney Is So Important

Going through a divorce is a complicated, emotional, and stressful process. Depending on your situation, you may face challenges, from dealing with child support and alimony to division of property and assets. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. 

Having an experienced divorce attorney on your side will ensure that your rights are protected and that you have access to valuable legal advice. If you are going through the divorce process, here are a few reasons to consult the expertise of a divorce attorney.

What An Experienced Divorce Attorney Does For You

1. Act as a Mediator 

Couples getting a divorce may hold feelings of anger and resentment that can hold up the proceedings. A divorce attorney will act as a mediator between you and your spouse to help move things along smoothly. If you are on particularly bad terms with your spouse, you may choose to communicate primarily through your attorneys, so you can avoid painful communications with your spouse. 

2. Objective and Expert Advice

Both you and your spouse are incapable of viewing the divorce without bias. An attorney offers an objective third-party who can help you make rational decisions for your future. They will also provide expert knowledge when it comes to handling the specifics of dividing assets, paying alimony, or deciding child custody. 

3. Ensures Fairness

Without legal counsel, you may feel pressured to agree to terms that you don’t fully understand or want. By working with an experienced divorce attorney, you will avoid being taken advantage of by your spouse. Your attorney will be your advocate and ensure that the assets are divided fairly. It’s important to have someone who makes sure your voice is heard and will protect your rights.

4. Familiarity With State Laws

Every state has different laws regulating how divorces should take place, including laws governing how assets should be divided, who will have custody of the children, and if spousal support is necessary. Your attorney will take all of this into account and make sure that your divorce follows state regulations. A divorce attorney will also be able to handle all paperwork and records, removing the stress and eliminating the potential for errors.

DaMore Family Law

Getting a divorce can be one of the most emotional experiences that someone can go through. There are many issues that need to be addressed, including alimony, health insurance, child custody, child support, to name a few. We have the training, experience and temperament to assist you through this difficult and emotional time. Contact us for assistance with your divorce case.


7 Things to Look for When Hiring a Divorce Lawyer

So you’re getting a divorce. This can be an extremely difficult time in anyone’s life, and it’s important to make sure that you have the best possible representation during this process. You need to find a divorce lawyer who is knowledgeable, experienced, and trustworthy. But how do you go about finding the right one? Here are seven things to look for when hiring a divorce lawyer:

1.) Experience

How many years has the lawyer been practicing? Have they handled cases like yours before?

2.) Success rate

What is the lawyer’s success rate in divorce cases?

3.) Reputation

What do other lawyers and clients say about the lawyer? Are they respected by their peers? Have you checked their online reviews?

4.) Communication Style

Does the lawyer communicate well? Do they return phone calls and emails promptly? Do they explain things thoroughly and patiently?

5.) Comfort Level

Do you feel comfortable talking to the lawyer? Do you feel like they are genuinely on your side?

6.) Fees

How much does the lawyer charge? Are their fees reasonable?

7.) Location

Is the lawyer’s office conveniently located for you?

Choose DaMore Law Today

Along with the emotional turmoil that comes from a divorce, there are many issues to address. Alimony and health insurance may need to be replaced in order for you both to survive financially during this trying time. Custody of children remains an important concern if they were involved at all. If it was uncontested, hiring legal representation may not be necessary but is still worth considering as these professionals will help guide you through what can feel like uncharted territory.

When you are going through a divorce, the last thing on your mind is how to handle it. Whether it’s contested or uncontested, at DaMore Law we have everything that will make this process as stress-free and painless for our clients as possible.

We understand what an emotional time these moments can be. Let us guide your every step with love in mind.


5 Tips For Co-Parenting After Divorce

Co-Parenting

In the event of a divorce, a child often feels like their life has been completely turned upside down. Outside of extreme cases, co-parenting is often the best way forward. This helps make sure all their needs are met and that they still retain relationships with both parents. However, co-parenting does have its own challenges that need to be met. With that said, here are 5 tips for co-parenting after divorce.

Be Honest

First off, being open and honest with your child is paramount. Trying to sweep the divorce under the rug or downplay the new changes will only confuse and hurt your child. Instead, it is beneficial to have open conversations about these changes. Let your child express themselves and vice versa. Essentially, helping them understand the situation will take away their fear that the divorce is somehow their fault. 

Keep Your Struggles Off Their Shoulders

As stated, being honest is important in co-parenting. However, that does not mean burdening your child with your own personal struggles after the divorce. Remember, co-parenting requires two people. Venting your own thoughts and struggles about the other person co-parenting can damage your child’s relationship with the other parent. Essentially, do not burden them with something they are not equipped to handle. Your hurt and struggles have to come second to their stability.

Maintain Normalcy As Often As Possible

A divorce will shake up your child’s world. Because of this, maintaining stability and normalcy when possible is highly important. This means helping them stay close with their other friends and family, activities, hobbies, and more. In a nutshell, too much change can be overwhelming. 

Communicate With Your Co-Parent

It might sound difficult at first, but communication is needed with your co-parent. Ultimately, communication is there to benefit your child and meet their needs. Clear, simple communication between co-parents will help you both understand how your child is doing and how to best raise them.

Be Respectful

Finally, you must remain respectful in front of your child. Of course, life isn’t perfect, but doing your absolute best to remain civil will help your child adjust. Moreover, it will help them process everything as healthily as they can. In the end, this will help your child’s relationship with both parents. Making sure they are happy, safe, and cared for is most important.

Peace Of Mind In Trying Times

Unexpected changes can be tough on you and your family. That’s why we offer excellent and affordable customer care when it comes to Family Law. Let us give you peace of mind through trying times. Contact us today to learn more.


Protecting Children During a Divorce

Divorce can be emotional, dramatic, and messy. It’s difficult for any adult to endure, but it’s even more impactful for children. Parents often overlook the importance of protecting children during a divorce. Here are a few things you can do to help your children through this difficult time.

1 – Don’t Argue Around Your Children

In the heat of the moment, we can get tunnel vision and forget about our surroundings. As a parent, you must be more conscious about interactions with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. One of the most upsetting things your kids can experience is hearing and watching you argue. Try to avoid this at all costs. If you need to argue, do so in private. Have the kids watch a movie in one room while you and your spouse discuss things in another part of the house. Send your kids over to a friend’s house for a playdate. Ask a friend or family member to babysit. Your kids are far too young to understand the complexity of your arguments and emotions, so make the effort to shield them from that experience.

2 – Don’t Discuss Divorce with Others While in Earshot of Your Kids

Avoid discussing your divorce near or around your kids. They hear and absorb much more than you realize. If you’re getting together with a friend while your kids are playing nearby, you assume they’re busy playing and not listening, but they are! With something as big as a divorce, your kids will eavesdrop at every possible moment. Even worse, they may hear something out of context or in bits-and-pieces, making the situation even more confusing to them. Be conscious of this and make sure any divorce conversations are conducted away from your children.

3 – Communicate With Your Children

Why do kids try so hard to listen in on your conversations? They want to know what’s going on and they assume you are not being truthful to them. Although we don’t recommend exposing your kids to the inner workings of your divorce, protecting children from divorce doesn’t mean lying to them or hiding information. It’s important that you communicate with your children. Help them understand what to expect and give them age-appropriate information.

4 – Come to an Agreement with Your Ex-Spouse

For the sake of your children, it’s critical that you work on communicating better with your spouse and come to an agreement on things pertaining to your children. For instance, agree not to argue in front of them or make them choose sides. Agree not to bad mouth the other parent or prevent children from maintaining a relationship with the other parent. Most importantly, give your children some say in the arrangement and to listen openly to their feelings and preferences. Protecting children during a divorce is very difficult. It takes time, effort, and a commitment from both parents.

5 – Get Counseling

Lastly, there may be some things that you can’t help your children with. Be sure to get counseling from experts. Whether you have an amicable or contentious divorce, it will impact your children deeply. They may not feel comfortable expressing their emotions and concerns to you, so make sure they have someone else to turn to. Providing this essential support now will reduce the trauma of your divorce and enable your children to grow into emotionally stable adults.

More Tips on Protecting Children During a Divorce

These are just a few ways of protecting children during a divorce. Depending on your personal circumstances, there may be other important steps you should take. Seeking counseling or therapy for yourself can help you be a better parent to your children during this difficult time. Whether it be from your divorce attorney, friends, family, or professionals, don’t be scared to ask for help and to take steps to lessen the impact of this life changing experiencing.

At DaMore Law, we understand how challenging divorce can be on everyone in the family. Please contact us for assistance with everything from pre- to post-divorce issues. We’re here to support you in all family law matters.


5 Things To Do After Divorce

Divorce can feel like it consumes your life. Although there’s a definitive ending point, its impact on your life can continue for many years. It’s important to recognize this and to take steps to move on. Here are 5 things to do after divorce.

1 – Update Your Estate Plan

First and foremost, update your estate plan. So many divorcees forget to do this. Your ex-spouse is likely listed as a beneficiary on your will, healthcare proxy, 401(k) plan, life insurance policies, etc. It’s critical that you change these right away. Although outdated terms are likely to be contested by other family members, the court process can be time consuming and expensive. You can avoid this risk by simply reviewing and updating all documents in your estate plan. Contact our team for assistance with this.

2 – Work on Building Credit

Even if you haven’t missed any mortgage or credit card payments, your credit score can take a hit after divorce. This often occurs from joint accounts being closed. First, it reduces your credit available. Any balances you carry on remaining cards will represent a higher percentage of your available credit. Additionally, the age of accounts is important. Closing older joint accounts can leave only newer accounts in your credit profile. This also impacts your score. Work on rebuilding your credit by making on-time payments and allowing your accounts to age. Read our article on other financial mistakes to avoid during divorce.

3 – Take Time to Heal

One of the most important things to do after divorce is to allow yourself time to heal. Your divorce may impact you much more than you realize. Don’t enter into a new and serious relationship too quickly. Think about what you truly want and need to be happy. Avoid using a new relationship as a way to make your ex-spouse jealous or angry. The best way to move on is to find true happiness and to build a better future, which takes time and cannot be forced.

4 – Get Counseling For Your Kids

Divorced parents are often so caught up in their own anger and grief that they forget the impact it can have on their kids. Some kids act out while others retreat into silence. Even if your children seem okay with the divorce, they likely have some trauma. Be sure to seek counseling for them. They may not feel comfortable expressing feelings to you for fear or hurting you or in an effort to protect you. It’s important to offer a neutral party for emotional support. Also, focus on better ways to communicate with your ex-spouse to alleviate ongoing stress or burden on your children.

5 – Focus on Relationships

Lastly, focus on other relationships in your life. Did you alienate mutual friends or family members during the divorce? Do you need to repair or work to maintain certain relationships for yourself or your children? Whether you’re ready to admit it or not, those relationships will be key to your future happiness and will enable you to truly move on. Take time to reflect and repair connections with your friends and family.

Summary of Things to Do After Divorce

Moving on from divorce doesn’t mean that you leave everything behind. Instead, it requires an honest look at your life and decisions. Update your estate plan to protect your heirs. Actively work to rebuild credit so you can buy cars, houses, and do other things in the future. Get counseling for yourself and your kids so you can heal. Repair other relationships so they don’t cause you future stress or anguish. The more intentional you are about these efforts, the quicker you will truly move on from your divorce.


Tips on Using Social Media During Divorce

For many people, social media is an integral part of daily life,… especially now, during a pandemic. It’s where you share information or vent. It’s where you stay connected to others and receive support. Naturally, it might be the first place you turn when going through divorce. Unfortunately, social media can make divorce complicated and contentious. If you’re a social media user, here are some important tips on using social media during divorce.

1 – Assume Your Ex Can See Everything

Even if your Facebook account is private and only friends can see your comments, this doesn’t mean your ex-spouse won’t see anything. The reality is, you and your ex- undoubtedly have friends and acquaintances in common. It’s very likely that one of them will mention to your ex or even show him/her what you’ve written. Assume that anything you write will be seen by your ex and possibly the divorce mediator or judge. This is one of the most important tips on using social media during divorce.

2 – Avoid Slander

During divorce, it’s very common for one or both parties to exaggerate a bit and to say things to intentionally hurt the other. It’s human nature and partially a defense mechanism. No matter what your security settings, social media sites are public forums. Sharing information that may not be completely true and that may damage someone’s reputation can be considered slander. You could be held liable for the damage caused.

The effects of your statements may not be obvious at the time you write them. For instance, let’s say you comment about how awful a person your ex is. Maybe you exaggerate a bit about some things that happened. You’re so angry that you even tag your ex, so that everyone sees it. Your ex applies for a job and the hiring manager searches social media (which is common for employers to do these days). The manager notices that another person at the company is a Facebook friend of your ex’s. That friend pulls up social media to browse through information with the hiring manager, and they see your comments. They decide not to hire your ex. Could your ex argue that your slanderous posts resulted in lost employment opportunities and income? That is certainly a possibility!

3 – Think About How Your Comments Make YOU Look

Sometimes we’re so caught up in our anger and intent to punish an ex for his/her actions, that we fail to see wrongdoing in our own actions. Don’t make this mistake. Venting on social media can make you appear unreasonable or the antagonist. In your effort to gain support by sharing your side of the story, you may actually lose support. This is one of many divorce mistakes commonly made. Also, it makes friends and acquaintances feel a bit uncomfortable. Before your share something intended to make your ex look bad, think first about how those comments might make you look.

4 – Don’t Share Anything About Your Divorce

Our last and most important tips on using social media during divorce is not to talk about your divorce or your ex at all. It’s really not the right forum for your grievances and it has the potential to really harm your case. As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, choose just one or two confidants that you trust.

Summary of Tips on Using Social Media During Divorce

Social media is not a safe place to share and vent when it comes to divorce. You should assume that your ex-spouse can see everything and that not everyone in your account supports your point of view. Even if friends do support you, the information you post can hurt those friendships. Additionally, exaggerating or even lying can have legal consequences. For your own benefit, it’s best not to use social media at all for divorce topics. For additional advice and tips on issues you may encounter in your divorce, contact our team to schedule a consultation.


4 Ways to Communicate Better With Your Ex-Spouse

Divorce is rarely the end of a relationship. When you have children and other family ties, you must still communicate with your ex- even after your divorce is settled. These interactions are often stressful, but they don’t always have to be. Finding ways to communicate better with your ex-spouse ultimately benefits you, in reduced stress and greater happiness. Here are a few things you can do.

1 – Beware of Text Messaging

Whether it’s with your ex or anyone for that matter, misunderstandings can occur via text messaging. It’s difficult to detect tone and intent through texts. Sometimes shorthand comes off as being curt or rude, or your choice of words may simply be wrong. So, beware of text messaging. It’s okay for short messages to coordinate logistics, but don’t have emotional or difficult conversations via text.

2 – Stay On-Topic

Angry conversations almost always go off-topic when your ex-spouse is involved. As you argue about one thing, you naturally bring up others. The issues may be related because they result in a similar emotion or impact. However, such conversations are rarely effective for anyone involved.

For your own benefit and sanity, keep discussions on-topic. If you’re looking to address a particular issue with your ex-spouse, focus on just that issue and how to best resolve it. Ask your ex- to do the same if he/she wavers off-topic. Sticking to one topic at a time is an effective way to communicate better with your ex-spouse.

3 – Give Yourself a Cool Down Period

When we’re upset, we don’t think clearly and we tend to say things that we regret later. This is true for just about everyone. As situations arise with your ex-spouse that make you extremely angry, give yourself some time to cool down. It’s okay to tell your ex-spouse that you’re not ready to talk about it yet and need a little time.

Sometimes writing down or recording what you want to say is helpful, too. There are many people who write letters or type emails that are never sent. The process of writing it down can be therapeutic and allow you to reflect on those emotions. Once your head is clear, then approach your ex-spouse to discuss the matter.

4 – Allow Some Give and Take

Remember that there should always be some give-and-take. If you take the approach that you are always right and your ex- is always wrong, you will remain in a constant state of conflict and unhappiness. In your attempt to hurt or punish your ex-spouse, you essentially hurt yourself! Whereas, if you choose to compromise, you encourage your ex-spouse to do the same. That approach leads to better communication and better outcomes for everyone involved.

Summary of Better Ways to Communicate with Your Ex-Spouse

Simply put,… by finding better ways to communicate with your ex-spouse, you improve your own quality of life. Allow yourself some time to cool down before communicating with your ex, avoid angry text messages, stay on topic, and compromise. These are all critical to reducing the stress of interactions with your ex-spouse. Be deliberate in your approach and you’ll find yourself less stressed. These tips are also helpful before and during divorce as well.

Contact our team for assistance with all divorce-related matters. Whether through mediation or litigation, our team will work to ease the stress of the process and find ways to help you move on with the next stage of your life.


5 Financial Mistakes to Avoid During Divorce

Divorce creates a huge financial change to your life. If both you and your spouse worked, you’ll be going from a double income household to a single income one. On top of that, you may be responsible for child support, alimony, or other payments. Those two things are impactful enough, but financial distress can be compounded by other decisions that you make. Here are a few financial mistakes to avoid during divorce.

1 – Paying Bills Late

Late payments for debts such as credit cards and loans have a big impact on your current and future financial health. First and foremost are the fees. If you are already struggling with payments, compounding late fees will only make matters worse. Additionally, payment history is reported to the credit bureaus and will dramatically reduce your credit score. Low scores lead to higher interest rates and can even prevent you from securing new lines of credit. This is one of the most important financial mistakes to avoid during divorce.

2 – Cancelling Individual Credit Cards

A very common misconception is that closing credit cards will improve your score. In fact, it has the reverse effect and here’s why. One of the biggest credit score factors is balances compared to available credit lines. For example, if you have $10,000 in available credit across various credit cards and have $1,000 in balances, then your’e using only 10% of your available credit. If you close accounts and have only $4,000 remaining in total credit limits, your $1,000 balance now represents 25% of your available credit. This gives the impression that you’re relying heavily on credit cards and will lower your credit score. It’s therefore best to leave accounts open but with very low or zero balances. The one exception is for joint accounts.

3 – Leaving Joint Accounts Active

If you have joint accounts with your ex-spouse, you should consider closing those. If your spouse continues to use a joint account, his/her payment history (good or bad) will be reflected on your credit report. Additionally, if your ex fails to pay, you could be held liable for that debt. It’s therefore best to separate accounts upon divorce. Most creditors won’t simply remove a name from an account. Instead, the existing account must be closed and a new account created.

4 – Forgetting Tax Implications

Before, during, and after divorce, you will continue to file tax returns. Whether you file jointly or separately and what deductions each of you claims will impact your tax liability. Consult with a tax advisor to understand your options and to make better decisions regarding your taxes.

5 – Underestimating Living Expenses

Budgeting is extremely important after divorce. If you’re not great with finances, consider hiring someone to help you with it. The most common mistake is underestimating living expenses. By creating a realistic plan, you will maintain financial stability after divorce.

Other Financial Mistakes to Avoid During Divorce

The above are just a few examples of financial mistakes to avoid during divorce. There are many others that we see divorcees make. As your divorce attorneys, we can provide extra guidance and help you avoid those pitfalls. With proper counsel and a well-planned strategy, you can reduce the negative financial impact of divorce. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.