Divorce is an emotional and complex process and, unfortunately, it is all too easy to make mistakes if you let your feelings get the best of you. This is why it is crucial to have a skilled legal advocate on your side to assist you every step of the way and help you avoid acting impulsively. Of course, even with an attorney on your side, the divorce process and can still dig up a lot of intense emotions and you might still feel tempted to make a decision that could potentially impact your future for many years to come.

Do not jeopardize the outcome of your divorce settlement. Read below to learn about the most common mistakes made during the divorce process, so you can avoid them:

• Using the court to get revenge on your soon-to-be former spouse: This is especially true for those who might feel like they were blindsided by the divorce or that their spouse is to blame for it. However, it is in everyone’s best interest to avoid prolonging the divorce process, no matter how much you want to stick it to your spouse. You might feel great about it at first, but ultimately, turning your divorce into a circus is only going to increase the costs of it, impact any children you might have, and likely leave you feeling unsatisfied in the long run.

• Bad mouthing your spouse in front of your children: Divorce, regardless if you initiated it or not, can lead to feelings of anger and, oftentimes, spouses will release their anger by bad mouthing one another in front of their children. This is a major mistake. When you engage in this kind of behavior, you will hurt your children and your rights in future custody cases. Keep in mind that the court will consider the roles that you and your co-parent play in supporting one another’s relationship with the children. If you are trying to alter your children’s perception of their other parent, this will not do you any favors.

• Lying in court: Even if you feel like your spouse took at advantage of you or somehow wronged you, the solution to this is never dishonesty. If you lie in court or attempt to hide marital assets, this could seriously derail your case once the court finds out about it and you can be certain that the truth will eventually come out. Lying in court could result in you losing ground in your divorce case, compromise any agreements you already made, and might even result in criminal charges of fraud. Stay honest and let your attorney do his or her job by finding legal solutions to your problems.

• Letting your emotions cloud your judgment: Your feelings are valid, but they should not dictate any decisions you end up making. How do you know when you are letting your emotions sit in the driver’s seat? You might find yourself fighting for things you do not actually need or want, causing you to prolong the divorce process. If something has no meaning, value, or importance for you, do not waste your time fighting over it just because you are angry at your spouse.

• Not complying with court orders: After you or your spouse files for divorce, family court will likely issue orders related to alimony, custody, and more. It is critical that you fully understand and comply with all court orders. You might not agree with them, but obeying the court’s orders will help you avoid some potentially costly complications and keep you from losing ground in your case.

• Not retaining the assistance of an experienced divorce attorney: Of course, the biggest mistake you can make in your divorce case is to simply not hire a skilled divorce attorney. The fact is that the law is complicated and attorneys spend years becoming intimately familiar with it and its intricacies. If you try to handle your divorce case on your own, you will immediately be at a disadvantage, especially if your spouse hired an attorney. Do what you can to protect your interests and hire an attorney.

Experienced Family Law Attorneys in Colorado Springs

If you and your spouse are no longer to make your marriage work and are now in the process of dissolving it, you will need a skilled family law attorney on your side to ensure your interests are protected throughout the process. At Clawson & Clawson, LLP, our team of divorce attorneys in Colorado Springs is dedicated to helping clients navigate a vast array of complex family law matters.

Get started on your divorce case today and reach out to our esteemed law firm at (719) 602-5888 to request a free initial consultation to learn more about how we can help you.