Divorce is never an easy decision, and it’s important to approach the process with caution and foresight when the relationship has deteriorated to a point where separation is inevitable. Divorce affects many areas of life, such as finances, parenting time and emotional health.
While planning for a divorce, it’s essential to steer clear of typical errors that might threaten your future. You can benefit from setting boundaries for what not to do when anticipating a divorce to better help you navigate this challenging time more effectively.
Don’t act on impulse or emotion
One of the biggest mistakes you can feel inclined to make when facing divorce is allowing emotions to dictate your actions. Anger, sadness and fear can cloud judgment and lead to hasty decisions that might not serve you in the long run. For instance:
- Making threats
- Moving out of the marital home without proper legal guidance
- Hastily filing for divorce
Instead, take time to process your emotions before taking any significant steps.
Don’t hide assets or information
When divorce seems imminent, it might be tempting to hide assets or information, thinking it will give you an advantage. However, concealing assets, income or debts can have severe legal consequences because courts take financial transparency seriously. If you are caught hiding assets, it can lead to penalties, including losing a larger share of the assets or being ordered to pay your spouse’s legal fees.
Don’t ignore your finances
You may avoid dealing with your finances when anticipating a divorce, either out of fear or because you rely on your spouse to handle financial matters. You should know that not knowing your income, debts or the value of your assets can leave you vulnerable during the divorce proceedings. Begin by collecting financial documents like bank statements, tax returns and investment records to understand your financial situation better.
Don’t make major life changes
It might seem appealing to make major life changes, such as:
- Moving to a new city
- Changing jobs
- Making large purchases
However, doing so during the divorce process can complicate matters. Courts typically frown upon drastic changes that could be seen as attempts to disrupt the status quo or undermine the other party’s position. If possible, hold off on making significant changes until the divorce is finalized.
Divorce is a significant life event that demands careful planning and deliberate decision-making. By steering clear of these common pitfalls, you can better safeguard yourself financially, legally and emotionally throughout the divorce process. Remember to stay calm, gather information and seek legal help as soon as you can to pave the way for a smoother transition and a more secure future.