Divorce by all means is a difficult life experience. It is easy to feel resentful, angry, sad and even lonely. While emotions are expected, they may lead to serious mistakes that can have a lasting impact on your life.
If you are going through a divorce, it is important that you avoid these costly mistakes.
1. Trying to “get even” with your spouse
It is not uncommon to feel frustrated and angry, especially if there are claims of infidelity. Some people get carried away by emotions that they end up seizing the moment to lash out at their spouses. Whether you opt to drag the process, refuse to cooperate or negotiate fairly or engage in practices that undermine your spouse, getting back at your spouse during the divorce can be a costly mistake in the long run.
The more protracted you make the process, the more costly the divorce will be – both emotionally and financially.
2. Coming between your spouse and the kids
Unfortunately, parental alienation is quite common during a contested divorce. And it can be detrimental to the children for years to come. Even if you do it subconsciously, making bad remarks about your spouse in the presence of your kids is never a good idea. Doing so will hurt your children. And when the court learns about it, your divorce case will be hurt too.
No matter how much you are hurt, make every effort to help the kids establish and maintain a healthy relationship with the other parent.
3. Trying to hide something from the court or your spouse
The court takes dishonesty very seriously. During the divorce, the court will direct you and your spouse to declare what you own and owe for purposes of equitable distribution per Pennsylvania marital property laws. Any attempt to withhold information regarding marital property amounts to lying under oath. And this will greatly hurt your case.
People make mistakes all the time. However, some mistakes can have far-reaching consequences. Learning how Pennsylvania family law works can help you avoid costly mistakes during the divorce.