Deciding to get a divorced is a complicated process and it’s likely one that doesn’t happen overnight. That said, your financial and personal future could come crashing down before you if you don’t take care during the divorce process not to take part in one of the many mistakes. At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most common mistakes people make in California – and how you can avoid them.
Not closing joint accounts
Do you have joint checking accounts, saving accounts, or credit card accounts? As soon as you decide to split, it’s important to decide how immediate assets will be divided. Of course, you don’t want to hide or transfer any marital assets behind their back – that’s actually another common mistake people make! – but you do need to make sure that your accounts are separate and that you can easily track who’s spending what.
Running up debt or not paying bills
You may be tempted to run up credit card debt. The reality is that many people contemplating divorce may be tempted to act impulsively, to stop paying marital debts, and to run up other bills. First, remember that this won’t just damage their credit score – it’ll damage yours too! But more importantly, it can complicate the divorce proceedings.
Moving out of your house if you want custody
If you want custody of your child then you should never willingly leave the house you’ve shared with your spouse, assuming that’s where the child lives. The reality is that when the judge makes a decision about who the child will live with, one of the factors they’ll consider will be where the child currently lives and who lives there with them. It may make for some awkward and / or tense months if you have to continue living in the same house, but it’ll be worth it if you get to retain custody.
Posting about the divorce on your social media account
Once again, it can be tempting to reach out to others and one way you may want to do this is to post on social media. Just remember that anything you say can be used in court – and it may be taken out of context. Likewise, any pictures you post of partying, drinking, or doing anything else that could potentially be used to make you look like a bad parent should be avoided.
Not contacting an attorney
Finally, many people try to work out their divorce on their own. While this is obviously the ideal option, you should still have a divorce attorney on your side. At Kendall Gkikas & Mitchell, we’re happy to help with your case whether you’re representing yourself, are going through mediation, or litigation is your only option. Call us today at 909-482-1422 and let us help you make sense of this complicated process.
