| DISCLAIMER -The information contained in this | | | | that many things they tell you may not be |
| article is for informative purposes only and is not | | | | accurate. Just because your friend got the house |
| intended to be a substitute for getting competent | | | | in his or her divorce does not mean that you will |
| legal advice from an expert who is licensed and | | | | too. The only reliable source of divorce |
| qualified to give legal advice. Eagle Investigative | | | | information is your lawyer. |
| Services, Inc. provides general information only | | | | Mistake #6: Using your divorce to punish your |
| and is not a law firm or an Attorney, therefore | | | | former spouse. |
| no Attorney/Client relationship can be created | | | | Not only will this cost you a bomb, but it will also |
| with Eagle Investigative Services, Inc. Readers of | | | | hurt you and your children a lot. |
| this information should not act or refrain from | | | | Mistake #7: Failing to think strategically. |
| acting on the basis of any of the material in this | | | | Thinking strategically means deciding what is |
| document without first obtaining legal advice from | | | | worth fighting for and what is not worth fighting |
| an attorney specific to their own situation. | | | | for. It may be too expensive to fight about |
| Mistake #1: Taking action without obtaining legal | | | | everything with your former spouse. You also |
| advice. | | | | have to decide how much you are willing to pay |
| Divorces are full of financial pitfalls. A skilled family | | | | to fight for your assets. It does not make sense |
| lawyer can help you avoid them. | | | | to spend $5,000 in legal fees to get $1,000 more |
| Mistake #2: Moving out of the matrimonial home. | | | | in your divorce settlement. |
| The decision to move out of the matrimonial | | | | Mistake #8: Being generous to win back your |
| home is a major one. You should not move out | | | | spouse. |
| until you consult with your lawyer and consider all | | | | This does not work. If your marriage is over, no |
| the facts of your case. By moving out, you could | | | | amount of generosity will win your spouse back. |
| prejudice your right to possess the home or to | | | | Mistake #9: Failing to keep a journal. |
| have custody of your children. | | | | In a highly contested case, the details of what has |
| Mistake #3: Failing to realize the importance of the | | | | happened can be particularly important. A journal |
| status quo. | | | | that contains all the daily events surrounding the |
| One of the most important concepts in family law | | | | divorce will be invaluable when you want to |
| is that of the status quo. The courts are loathe to | | | | remember what has occurred. |
| change the way things are going, unless it is clear | | | | Mistake #10: Overlooking the mediation option. |
| that there is a big problem. For instance, if you | | | | Mediation is where you and your spouse, together |
| make payments to your spouse without a court | | | | with a mediator, discuss the issues you face in |
| order, it will become difficult to convince a court | | | | hopes of reaching an acceptable agreement. The |
| that you cannot afford to continue making the | | | | mediator is a neutral third party who helps you |
| payments. | | | | and your spouse work towards a reasonable |
| Mistake #4: Making decisions while you are | | | | solution of the issues in your divorce. In many |
| depressed or upset about your divorce. | | | | cases, mediation may be the quickest and |
| A divorce is a very emotional and difficult time. If | | | | cheapest way of reaching an agreement with |
| you make decisions when you are depressed or | | | | your spouse. And because it happens so quickly, |
| upset, you can easily make bad decisions. Try to | | | | you avoid much of the emotional trauma that you |
| make important decisions only when you feel | | | | and your children might otherwise have to endure. |
| strong. | | | | Mistake #11: Failing to obtain security for support |
| Mistake #5: Getting divorce advice from family | | | | payments. |
| and friends. | | | | If your former spouse dies, what will you do |
| No doubt you will hear a lot of urban legends | | | | without the child support payments you were |
| about divorce law. Many of them are not correct. | | | | receiving? Getting appropriate life insurance can |
| While your family may have good intentions and | | | | make all of the difference.. |
| want to help you, that does not change the fact | | | | |