Ending your marriage can be an incredibly painful process. It is a time when your emotions might be raging out of control, as a result of which you might end up making mistakes that could prove to be costly for you – financially and otherwise – in the long term.
Given below are five mistakes you must avoid while filing for divorce in Texas.
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1. Not Hiring an Attorney
The process of getting a divorce can be complicated – especially if you and your spouse do not see eye to eye on key issues like division of marital property, alimony, and child support. In such a scenario, it’s vital for you to be represented by an experienced Austin divorce attorney who can fight for your rights, defend your interests, and ensure that you get your fair share in the end.
Remember – your spouse will “lawyer up.” So, you should too. Otherwise, you might be forced by your spouse’s lawyer into accepting an unfair divorce settlement.
2. Ignoring Your Spouse’s Marital Misconduct
Ignoring your spouse’s marital misconduct is one of the biggest mistakes you can make while filing for divorce. If you have the necessary evidence to prove your spouse’s marital misconduct, you can afford to negotiate the terms of divorce with your spouse from a position of strength.
Moreover, if you are a victim of marital misconduct, the court is likely to favor you while dividing the marital property. So, you should not ignore or overlook your spouse’s marital misconduct, irrespective of how they justify it.
Common examples of marital misconduct include infidelity, bigamy, domestic violence, abandonment, drug abuse, getting convicted of a crime, and failure to provide financial and emotional support.
3. Not Following Court Orders
The consequences of not following a court order can be serious. If you are held in contempt of court, you could be thrown in jail, ordered to pay a hefty fine, or ordered to pay your spouse’s legal fees. So, make sure you follow the court’s orders and adhere to the conditions imposed on you.
4. Taking Advice from Friends and Family
There is no denying the fact that your family and friends only want what is best for you. At the same time, they are not in a position to provide you with any sort of guidance, since they are unlikely to be familiar with the state’s laws regarding divorce and child custody.
So, you should avoid taking legal advice from any of them and follow your Austin divorce attorney’s lead instead.
5. Not Being Transparent With Your Attorney
This is without a doubt the worst mistake you can make while filing for divorce. Your attorney is your confidant and the only person who has nothing but your best interests at heart.
If you try to hide any information from your attorney for any reason, it can unnecessarily complicate the divorce process and affect your chances of obtaining a favorable divorce settlement.
Working with an established and committed divorce attorney is the best way to ensure that your rights and interests are not violated during the divorce process and you are not taken advantage of by your spouse’s legal counsel.
Need an Experienced Austin Divorce Attorney to Represent You?
Family law attorney Eric M. Willie, P.C., and his team of trial attorneys are committed to providing the best possible legal representation and guidance to people who are looking to end their marriage. We have the legal expertise, experience, and resources to help you find a solution to your marital problems.
Call us today at 512-379-6356 or submit this online contact form for a free consultation with one of our divorce attorneys.