Divorce is a difficult process for people to go through. Whether you have been together for five years or thirty there are often a lot of emotional and practical issues to deal with. There are a lot of potential pitfalls and it is vital to be aware of this before you begin the process.
Rushing into it
Increasingly courts are recommending mediation before beginning divorce proceedings and indeed it is often a part of the process. The crucial thing to emphasise is whether or not the issues that have led to this point can be resolved. This is not always the case but it is often worth exploring separation and other options before finalising a divorce.
Not choosing a specialist
The temptation may be to choose someone who is less expensive. This is not the right move – ultimately you need a representative who understands what you are going through and can handle both the emotional side and the legal aspects, in your best interests.
Essentially it’s a balance – you don’t necessarily want someone cold and emotionless (although this is a bit of a myth, legal representatives tend to be more empathetic than people think) but equally you want someone with specialist skills and experience.
Not having the right information
Ultimately you have to know what you are claiming for and what is available. Ideally you should be able to get information on what you can secure under the terms of the divorce (ultimately you can’t claim for something somebody doesn’t have!)
Not working out custody
You have to decide how this works – if you genuinely have problems sharing then it may be that one partner gets sole custody. This is an aspect that can be difficult and it is important to carefully consider what the best options are for the children involved.
Not being careful with social media
This is something people often forget – social media can be used as evidence. Therefore publicly insulting a partner, their parenting skills or other aspects of their lives is something that could potentially be used against you (this is also good practise regarding social media in general – putting “these are my opinions” in your bio won’t help!)
Don’t forget tax
There are a number of issues regarding splitting assets and so forth when divorcing. One thing to be wary of is what gets taxed and how that is paid. This is something you should discuss with your legal representative to help avoid big bills later on!
Understand what you’re signing
This is vital. While it may sound obvious it can be easy to sign papers just because you want to get things moving along. If you are not sure ask questions before you sign!
In short divorce is something that can be complicated, stressful and emotional. At Larcomes we have the right balance between specialist experience and recognising that people need someone who can guide them through the more emotional aspects of divorce. For more information on how we can help you contact us on 023 9244 8100 today.