As a firm that practices Family Law, a large number of our cases involve divorce and it is no wonder – the common statistic is that 50% of all marriages end in divorce. Divorce can be complex and messy. It can feel like you don’t know what the right thing to do is. That’s why we’ve compiled this guide on family divorce mistakes you must avoid when getting divorced.
Divorce Mistake #1: Forcing The Kids To Take Sides
It is a painful time – you are angry and just want to hurt your spouse, but never, ever use your kids as pawns in the process. The best thing you can do for them is to remind them that both parents love them and will be there for them, no matter what happens. Resist the urge to badmouth your soon-to-be-ex in front of your kids, no matter what they’ve done.
Divorce Mistake #2: Failure To Develop A Parenting Plan
Once your divorce is final, your relationship with your ex will change — sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. The more specific you can be with the start and end times for your kids’ parenting time, vacations, holidays, etc., the easier it will be on them because they will have some routine when the rest of their lives have been disrupted.
Divorce Mistake #3: Jumping Into A New Relationship
Divorce is one of the most stressful and isolating experiences you can go through. It makes sense to seek the comfort, emotional connection, and fun distraction that a new relationship offers, but please, refrain. You are not ready to give another person what they deserve. Your kids will be confused by you bringing a new “parent” into the picture. You need time to recover and reflect before jumping into a new relationship. Avoid these mistakes and take some time to rebuild your sense of self and define yourself apart from your ex.
We hope you found these tips valuable and informative. We want you to avoid these common mistakes when getting divorced.
If you have questions about divorce or any other legal matter, call us at 210-368-9708. We are here to help!