What Are Common Mistakes to Avoid in an Annapolis Divorce?
Although you are dealing with a major challenge when you are going through a divorce, the decisions that you make now will have a large impact on your life in the future. While there is no “winning” in a divorce, there is certainly such a thing as losing. You can make serious mistakes that affect your interests. Working with an attorney experienced in family law and divorce can help you avoid poor decisions that can impact you in the future. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you are going through a divorce in Annapolis.
Acting Out of Emotion and Not With Strategy
Divorce is certainly a very emotional experience. You may be embroiled in conflict with your soon-to-be ex-spouse that is unfolding during the divorce process. You must make sure to keep emotion out of legal issues to the fullest extent possible. To obtain the best possible result in your divorce, you need to think of the long-term and not necessarily short-term emotions.
Although you do not have control over every aspect of your divorce, you must at least approach the legal process with an overarching strategy. You need to know what is important to you, what you are prepared to fight for, and where you may be able to compromise. If you see only the here and now, you may overlook long-term strategic considerations that are crucial to both your finances and ability to be a part of your children’s lives. While it is easier said than done, you must deal with emotions outside of the legal process and not through it.
Not Taking Care of Yourself
Legal matters are not the only thing that you need to tend to when you are getting divorced. You must make sure that you take care of yourself to the fullest extent possible. To be clear, divorce is a very traumatic event, and it will certainly cause you stress. There are things that you can do to look after both your physical and mental health when you are in the middle of this process. Take time to be good to yourself in every possible way.
Taking care of yourself means both spending time on quality activities, whether it is with family or friends, and getting help from a mental health professional. You cannot and should not try to go through your divorce on your own. Both counseling and using a few close people as sounding boards and support can increase the chances that you maintain your mental health during a very difficult time.
Trying to Handle Your Divorce on Your Own
No matter what anyone may tell you, there is no such thing as an easy divorce. Legally, there are many issues that you need to consider that you may not know about on your own. Then, you should not be in a position where you are trying to negotiate your divorce, either directly with your spouse or their attorney. There may be things that you overlook that can come back to haunt you in the future.
Once you sign a divorce settlement, and it becomes a subject of a court order, it is a final matter. You cannot go back and change property allocations. If you seek to modify child custody or any other financial arrangements, you must show the court why circumstances have changed substantially in a separate hearing. When you hire a divorce lawyer, their job is to look ahead for you and to advocate for your interests. They are there to protect your legal rights and to anticipate things that you may not be able to see by yourself.
Annapolis Divorce Lawyers at Oliveri & Larsen Help You Make the Right Decisions
Handling a divorce is both stressful and challenging. The Annapolis divorce lawyers at Oliveri & Larsen can keep you from making mistakes by acting as your strategic advisor and advocate. Call us at 410-295-3000 or complete our online form today for a consultation. We have offices in Annapolis, MD, and serve clients in the surrounding area.