We all make mistakes, especially when we?re stressed and feeling emotional. Few things are more stressful or more emotional than divorce, but that?s also when it?s most important to refrain from making any mistakes.
When litigating and/or settling divorce, it?s nothing less than our lives at stake. In addition to financial assets and alimony, any marriage with children will also have to deal with dividing decision-making duties and parenting time schedules. These are all things no one can afford to lose, so if you?re getting divorced, make sure you?re not making these common mistakes:
Not listening to the experts.
We?ve already talked about why it?s important to hire a divorce attorney rather than trying it DIY, but it?s equally important to listen to the attorney you?ve hired. They?re the expert and they?re able to look at the situation without all the emotional baggage you?re bringing to the divorce. You don?t have to take their advice if you don?t feel like it?s really what you want, but if your attorney is strongly advising you to do (or avoid) something, you need to take that under serious consideration.
Taking advice from people other than your attorney.
Just as important as taking advice from your attorney is not taking advice from people other than your attorney. When getting divorced, everyone will be full of advice, and it may be tempting to take advice from everyone from your best friend to your pharmacist. Even though they may have the best of intentions, they won?t necessarily know what?s best for you. ?Even if you trust their opinion or believe they have all the facts because they went through a divorce or custody battle in the past, understand that they don?t have all the facts. Every divorce is different and more than likely, the Judge handling your case now did not hear your friends? case. Outcomes in divorce vary greatly depending on the Judge you have, and it is your attorney?s job to advise you on how the Judge on your case may rule.?? Also, as we posted previously, the laws changed significantly in Illinois in 2015, 2016 and 2017 via separate amendments to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. So, all of these changes mean your divorce will be handled much differently than those heard by the Court even just a year ago.
Fighting over the children.
In many divorces, each party just wants to hurt the other, and few things hurt worse than denying someone access to their children. But it?s important to set aside your hurt feelings and pride and consider what?s really best for the children. If the other party wants to spend time with their children and they?re not putting them in any danger by doing so, the Court will insist that you allow them to have time with their children. Denying time or the ability to participate in a co-parenting relationship usually backfires on the parent withholding the children. Finally, your relationship will benefit from it in the long run and your children will benefit from having both parents remain active and present in their lives.
Continuing to litigate a case when settling would make more sense.
There are many reasons people choose to continue to litigate a case rather than settle. Sometimes people think they can get more money out of their spouse if they have their ?day in Court.? Other times they just want to get revenge on their spouse, and they decide to do that by dragging out the matter as long as possible.
But in many cases, you can get more money by settling the case as soon as possible and saving yourself the additional legal fees involved in continuing to litigate. And while you may want revenge for the pain your spouse inflicted on you, choosing to drag out the litigation, rather than settling and getting it over with, can do as much damage to you (both emotionally and financially) as to the other party. There?s no point in taking the time and energy to hurt someone else if you hurt yourself in the process. A knowledgeable and experienced attorney can advise you when it is worthwhile to litigate the case than to settle.
These and many other mistakes can be made when you allow yourself to be carried away by the harrowing emotions that can come along with divorce. Instead of focusing on the negative feelings you?re experiencing right now, try to consider the kind of relationship you want with your ex-spouse and your children later on down the road. Let that foresight (and your attorney) be your guide in how you handle your divorce.
The attorneys at?Sherer Law Offices?have been providing legal representation for divorce cases, as well as all types of family law for more than 20 years. Our?experienced divorce attorneys?will take the time to really listen to your unique situation so that they can plan strategies that can best protect your best interests.?
