Even in the best circumstances, divorce is a complicated endeavor. But there are many ways people damage their own divorce cases.

2. Even in the best of circumstances, divorce tends to be a complicated
affair. In simple, straightforward cases, the process can go smoothly.
But the more that’s involved, and the more emotions flare up, the
trickier things become. It’s important to be rational and detail oriented
along the way. But people make mistakes, and too many people make
choices that actually damage their own divorce cases.

3. Some of these moves can cost a person in a variety of ways. You can lose out on getting your
share of the marital assets and child custody. A misstep can cost in the realm of spousal
support. The wrong choice may simply create more tension, animosity, and hard feelings
between spouses.

4. Divorce has a huge impact on your life moving forward. As such, it’s vital
not to screw it up for avoidable reasons. There are many ways people
damage their own divorce cases, but if you know what to look out for,
hopefully, you can avoid hurting your own cause.

5. Some people believe that filing for divorce first gives you an edge and try to burst out of the
starting gate ahead of their spouse. In some circumstances, this is true. But in others, people
irreparably damage their own divorce case. If you’re prepared and have a clear plan of action,
go ahead, but don’t just file for the sake of filing.

6. Take the time to organize paperwork and documents, save money, and
find the right divorce attorney. Laying a solid foundation for your case is
far more beneficial than being first. Sure, you may just want to get it over
with, but being prepared only helps in the long run.

7. Divorce is a hectic, stressful, wildly emotional time. By the time they get in the thick of the
process, many people have been through so much they just want it to be over, no matter the
cost. But sometimes that cost is great.

8. Far too often, people willingly offer assets or agree to unfair terms in hopes
of speeding things up. Of course it hurts, ending a marriage is tough, but
being as level headed as possible helps many people avoid damaging their
own divorce case.

9. Divorce is common. Odds are, you know multiple people who have been through the process
before. Many may be eager to offer advice and share their stories, but be careful which
suggestions you follow. In some cases, advice from friends leads people to damage their own
divorce cases.

10. No matter how well-intentioned, well-wishers may inadvertently
undermine your position. Every case is different, so what worked in one
situation may not work in yours. While one strategy worked like
gangbusters for your best friend’s cousin, it may derail your case. Some
advice, like transferring assets out of your name, may even backfire
horribly. Before you do anything, a good rule of thumb is to run it by your
attorney first.

11. Moving out of a shared home sounds like a no-brainer, right? Who wants to keep living with a
soon-to-be ex? After all, if the living situation was great, you wouldn’t be divorcing. A
common practice, by the time divorce gets underway, most couples already live apart. In
many cases, this leads people to damage their own divorce cases down the road.

12. Moving out can set precedents about child custody decisions and impact
visitation. If you leave the house in the hands of your spouse, it often
results in larger spousal support payments and influences the division of
property. You may be obligated to continue paying bills during divorce
even if you no longer live there.

13. Since dividing property has substantial effects on financial well-being, it’s natural to want to
protect your interests. Some people try to accomplish this by transferring assets out of their
name or otherwise concealing resources.

14. No matter how shrewd you think you are, if you try this, you’ll most likely
be found out. If your spouse has a lawyer, they’ve probably been through
this before and know where to look. This not only ruins a person’s
credibility, it can also damage their own divorce case.

15. Acting out of anger is rarely, if ever, a good idea. You may have very good reasons for being
mad, hurt, or disappointed, but using divorce as a tool of vengeance doesn’t do any good.
More often than not, it only prolongs things and makes everyone feel worse.

16. When it involves kids, it’s even trickier. With shared custody, you’ll have to
communicate with your ex in some capacity. If you burn bridges and create
additional hostility, the kids will pick up on that. Try to stick to the facts at
hand, avoid unnecessary conflict, and prepare to move forward with your
life. You’re doing this to move on, not linger in the past.

17. With online resources and guides, handling a divorce yourself is now easier and more
accessible than ever. In a few minutes, you can download the forms, fill them out, pay the fees,
and file them in the appropriate place. Easy. While a do-it-yourself approach is ideal in some
cases, it causes some to damage their own divorce cases.

18. When it comes to shorter marriages with no kids and little shared property,
DIY is often the way to go. The more there is to deal with, the more
complicated things get. The likelihood of mistakes increases along with the
complexity. Especially if your spouse hires a divorce lawyer, consider
hiring one of your own.

19. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media outlets play a role in our daily lives.
Increasingly, they also play a role in divorce. One recent study found that one-third of divorce
filings in the United States cite the word “Facebook.” Often this is how one spouse finds out
about infidelity on the part of the other. But social media also frequently factors into the
actual divorce process.

20. Lashing out at an ex online paints an ugly picture. Sharing particulars of a
divorce often causes one side to stop cooperating with the other. In
custody situations, posting photos of wild nights out can make a person
look like an irresponsible parent. Too often, people don’t consider the
impact what they post and damage their own divorce cases.

21. These are just a few ways people ultimately damage their own divorce cases. Don’t worry,
there are many others. How divorce plays out has a significant impact on your life moving
forward. There’s custody, division of property, maintenance payments, and more to consider.
Stopping to think through the potential consequences is important. Try to remain calm,
rational, and use common sense in every decision. When in doubt, check with your lawyer if
you have one.

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