The 6 Biggest Mistakes People Make in Divorce:
Taking the “My Way or the Highway” Approach – Divorce, unfortunately, requires compromise. It’s likely that neither party will get exactly what they want. Figuring out what’s too important to bend on, and where you can compromise is key.
Throwing in The Towel – Divorce is hard, and it’s tempting to just give in to the demands of the other side, in an effort to just be done. This is your future, though, and the decisions you make can affect you and your children for a very long time. Don’t let those feelings of overwhelm get in the way of protecting your future.
Betting the Farm on Another Relationship – It’s natural to get swept up by another relationship, especially if your current one has been lacking in connections and compatibility. And while that relationship may feel like exactly what you need at the time, you’re going through a lot of changes, and that relationship may not be what you end up needing/wanting. Don’t make decisions (financial or otherwise) for your future based upon a relationship you’ve entered during times of transition. There are no guarantees on how long that relationship will be a part of your life.
Wanting Guarantees and Certainty – It’s completely understandable to want to know what’s going to happen in your future, and just how your divorce will work out. Realistically, though, there are no guarantees. Waiting for them just leaves you stuck and unable to move forward.
Not Getting Help from the Right People – family and friends are great…but each divorce is different, and divorce laws change over time and in different locations. It’s important to get your advice from those that know the current laws and practices in your area. This is not just limited to attorneys and mediators. Experts like Certified Divorce Coaches (CDCs) and Certified Divorce Financial Analysts (CDFA’s) can make a big impact on the outcomes of your divorce.
Forgetting Who the Decision Makers Are – You need to compile your team of experts to advise and counsel you on your divorce, but you can’t forget that YOU have a role in making some of these decisions. If you let an attorney, or a judge, or your spouse make the decisions for you – they will go off of statutes, numbers, or their own bias. YOU know what’s best for you and your family…don’t let someone else dictate that for you.