| • |
Believing that your spouse will treat you fairly in dividing property and establishing child and / or spousal support. Remember, there is no substitute for knowing your legal rights, and no reason to accept less than a fair settlement. |
| |
|
| • |
Withholding relevant information from your divorce attorney. Withholding such information may result in an unlawful act and will always put you at a disadvantage. Your attorney can best represent you when he or she has all of the facts. |
| |
|
| • |
Not asking questions when you have questions or signing documents that you don’t understand. |
| |
|
| • |
Failing to
revise your estate plan given the changes that will, or have taken place. Remember, if you have minor children or own real estate, you need a living trust and should designate who will care for your children if you are not able to do so. |
| |
|
| • |
Expecting the legal system to protect your interests. Only an attorney can protect your interests in divorce or other family law matters. |
| |
|
| • |
Having unrealistic expectations about support or the division of property. The law establishes certain parameters that are known to the attorneys representing the parties to a divorce. Consequently, each attorney is able to advise his or her client of the likely outcome if the case did not settle and was decided by a judge. The result is that few cases go to trial. The vast majority are settled out of court taking into consideration the parameters of the law. |
| |
|
| • |
Not considering the use of a divorce mediator to help resolve all issues related to a dissolution of marriage. |
| |
|
