Going through a divorce is no one's idea of a good time. Certainly, you may feel that the process is worth it because you will no longer be in an unhappy marriage, but it can still prove draining to go through all the necessary procedures. At certain points, you may find yourself at a standstill because you and your ex cannot come to an agreement.
This type of scenario is not uncommon during the property division portion of the divorce. In fact, this part is known for becoming particularly contentious because spouses often have differing views on who should get what or how much. It is also possible that your ex could lie or even try to hide assets so you may want to try to avoid some common mistakes associated with property division.
Mistakes to avoid
Having the right information can often make a substantial difference in any situation. That is no different when it comes to divorce. In efforts to watch out for yourself during this time, you may want to remember the following tips:
- Gather all relevant documents: You will need a number of financial documents during the course of your divorce. You would be wise to obtain account numbers and current balances, receipts for home renovations or other major expenses, amounts paid for significant assets, and information regarding Social Security statements.
- Close joint credit accounts: Most spouses have joint credit accounts, but closing them after filing for divorce is a prudent step. If they remain open, your ex could attempt to run up a bill and leave you with the balance, or the creditor could come after you in the event that your ex does not pay his or her bills.
- Avoid social media: While you may often use your social media profiles to post about your day or major life events, posting during a divorce could prove detrimental. A post you may consider harmless could give your ex evidence to use against you for a better settlement for him or her.
These tips are only a few that could help you avoid mistakes during a divorce. Of course, a number of other missteps could occur that could have major effects on your case.
Working toward the best possible outcome
You undoubtedly want your divorce to have results that you feel comfortable accepting, and you certainly also want to avoid giving your ex the upper hand. Fortunately, you do not have to try to navigate this tricky process on your own. An experienced California attorney could help you throughout your legal proceedings and remind you what actions could potentially have negative impacts on your case.
