Protecting What Matters Most

Nine Mistakes To Avoid In Your Divorce

Going through a divorce is always a challenge. Even an uncontested divorce can try the patience of the most amicable person. With so much at stake, it is crucial to avoid making mistakes that add to the difficulty of the process.

I am family law attorney Keith Schulefand and at the law office of Keith B. Schulefand, Esq., in Williamsville, New York, I focus on helping people avoid the pitfalls of the divorce process and arrive at a solution that works for everyone involved.

Are you ready to speak to an experienced lawyer about your divorce-related legal needs? Call 716-568-4453 to schedule a free phone consultation.

1. Failing To See The Big Picture

Divorce is not about winning and losing. In a divorce, everyone wins or everyone loses. I view divorce as the assembly of a puzzle. There are numerous pieces — child custody, spousal maintenance, child support, division of marital assets — that must be carefully placed. Going into the process with guns figuratively blazing is a recipe for emotional pain and immense financial consequences.

2. Trying To Turn Your Children Into Allies

Your kids deserve better than listening to you bad mouth their mother or father. It serves no one to do this and can do long-lasting damage. Keep the focus on protecting your children during divorce, and making sure your children have the nurturing and resources they need to thrive.

3. Being Rigid

People who cannot be flexible often struggle in divorce. In any divorce settlement, there is going to be some degree of mutual dissatisfaction. It is ultimately about finding an agreement everyone can live with. If one party is entirely unreasonable, litigation may be prudent and necessary.

4. Being Unprepared

Your attorney knows all about the divorce process and can prepare you for what to expect. Be sure to ask questions. Everyone has them, and the answers can provide you with peace of mind.

5. Focusing On Fault

Fault is no longer a requirement for filing for divorce, now that no-fault divorce is an option. Your spouse may be the most dastardly person on earth, but that does not mean that he or she will have to bear a disproportionate financial responsibility in the divorce settlement. That is not how it works, and the sooner you come to grips with that, the better your outcome will be.

6. Letting Anger Impair Your Judgment

It is important to make decisions that are firmly planted in a strong legal foundation. You may want to “fight to the death” but that will not help you achieve a better result.

7. Not Setting Priorities

You will not get everything you want in a divorce settlement. But an attorney can help you identify priorities and build a strategy around protecting what you value the most.

8. Not Thinking About The Future

Do you have children? Will you have to maintain a functional relationship with your spouse for the purpose of shared parenting? The actions you take during the divorce process can have a lasting impact on your future, so choose your words and actions wisely.

9. Not Having An Attorney

The legal help you seek now can have a sizable impact on your ability to find a resolution that works for you. Email my office today to set up a free phone consultation. I have more than 30 years of divorce experience in the Buffalo area.