8 Things You Should Never Do During a Divorce

Worried about what you should or shouldn’t do during your divorce? The divorce process can be complex, stressful, and intimidating, and determining the right choice at every crossroads can be exceedingly difficult. Between child custody battles, spousal support negotiations, and property division, you’ll certainly have your hands full once everything is underway. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to improve your circumstances and protect your interests.

To make navigating this tricky road a bit easier, we’ve provided a list of what not to do during the divorce process:

1. Don’t hide money or assets. Ever.

You may be tempted to hide some of the assets you feel belong to you, but doing so could lead to serious legal penalties. It’s always best to negotiate over these properties in court.

2. Don’t neglect your finances.

Divorce can be expensive, so make sure you keep an eye on your finances and budget accordingly. Spending frivolously could come back to bite you. Learn more about the ongoing financial implications of divorce.

3. Don’t rely on joint accounts.

Now is the time to establish your own, independent accounts, that way you can build your own credit and avoid any complications that might arise if your spouse is spying on your finances. And talk to your attorney about other steps to protect your financial future.

4. Don’t rely on the advice of family and friends.

While they mean well, your family members and friends are not legal experts, and their advice shouldn’t be your go-to source of information. Instead, seek the guidance of legal professionals and rely on your family and friends for emotional support and stability.

5. Don’t take to social media.

It might feel cathartic to release your anger on social media, but anything you say or do online could hurt your case in the long run. Instead, the safest option is to avoid social media altogether until the divorce is finalized.

6. Don’t put your children in the middle.

Every parent wants the best for their children, but determining what that looks like during a divorce can be tricky. During this stressful time, focus on making your kids feeling heard and important, and avoid putting them in the middle of your conflicts. Learn more about divorce and healthy families.

7. Don’t be overly contentious.

Argumentative couples usually deal with longer, more challenging divorces. Instead of fighting over every little thing, try to focus on the common purpose and choose your battles carefully. It may be frustrating in the moment, but focusing on positive, construction negotiations could help save you time and money.

8. Don’t go without an attorney.

In an age of DIY, it can be tempting to try to go through the divorce process independently, but when it comes to legal matters, it’s always best to work with an expert. Here are three things to know about a DIY divorce.

Our attorneys at McKinley Irvin have extensive experience with a wide variety of divorce cases, and we can help create a customized legal approach that works best for you.

Contact McKinley Irvintoday to contact one of our experienced Washington state divorce attorneys.