Ending a marriage can be a difficult, draining, and costly process. Your statements and actions, however, can make your divorce even more difficult. Avoid behavior which may be turned against you.
Social Media And Texting
The world can see what you post. So can your spouse and their divorce attorney.
Think of it this way. Consider the court’s reaction and your spouse’s attorney questioning in a custody matter after you posted pictures of your heavy drinking and use of drugs at a party.
Imagine how your posts on an expensive vacation or car or on your new significant other will impact your spousal or child support case. Text messages and posts that can be construed as adultery, threatening, or harassing to your spouse may be used against you.
Hiding Assets
Lying about your assets on legal papers and hiding assets is illegal and can be used against you. It may increase your support payments or reduce your chances of getting support. Hiding assets such as offshore bank accounts, valuable property or investments can lead to an unfavorable property division.
Substance Abuse
Struggling with addiction can lead to allegations that you are an unfit parent and that your children are not safe in your custody. This is compounded if you cannot work. A history of abuse may impact what you pay or receive in spousal support.
Affairs
Infidelity can reduce the odds of receiving spousal support.
Abuse
The best interests of the children are justifiably the courts’ highest priority. If there is evidence of abuse, the court may not grant custody or visitation rights to the offending parent.
Protective orders may restrict contact between the parties and effect child visitation. Also, abuse in a relationship has a significant emotional impact and makes it difficult to negotiate, especially for the abused party.
Spending
Your spending may be used against you as a litigation tactic. Poor spending habits and recklessness can play a role in the division of shared property. Courts may also rule against a spouse on spousal and child support if they have poor spending habits.
Leaving Town
Taking the children out of town without the other parent’s consent or against the terms of a court order may be considered parental kidnapping. It can affect child custody and visitation orders. In some cases, criminal charges may be filed.
Taking certain actions and making decisions that might have once been routine for you may have consequences if you do them during your divorce. Spouses often seek legal guidance during this time.