5 Mistakes to Avoid Making During an Illinois Divorce

 Posted on October 27, 2018 in Family Law

DuPage County divorce attorneyThough every divorce is different, and there is no one set way that can be used in all divorces, there are some general guidelines that can help make your divorce easier on you. The nature of divorce makes this period of time in your life difficult already, so figuring out ways that you can make it easier on everyone involved is a good idea. You may not even be aware that you are making these mistakes, but they can hinder the divorce and separation process. Here are five mistakes that you should try your best to avoid making:

1. Being Uninformed or Unprepared

If you are unaware of your financial situation, you are setting yourself up for failure. Before you begin the divorce process, you should make sure that you have access to all bank accounts and credit card accounts, as well as tax return information and investment accounts. You will want to make copies of all available financial records, such as tax returns, bank and credit card statements, loan documents, insurance policies, and deeds to real estate or vehicles.

2. Letting Your Emotions Guide You

Divorce dredges up many thoughts and feelings, so it can be difficult to take your emotions out of the process. It is completely normal to feel everything from grief to anger to resentment, but it is important that you do not let these emotions control your decisions. Seeing a counselor or therapist who specializes in divorce or family issues can help you work through those emotions in a healthy way.

3. Not Knowing What You Are Entitled To

First, you should know the difference between marital and nonmarital property. Anything that you and your spouse acquired during the marriage - with a few exceptions - is considered marital property. In Illinois, the law states that divorcing couples will split their marital property equitably, rather than equally. So even if you were a stay-at-home parent and you did not have an income, but your spouse did, you can still expect to receive a portion of marital property.

4. Refusing to Compromise With Your Spouse

This is also a crucial mistake to avoid making when you are going through a divorce. Yes, it is important to fight for things that are rightfully yours, but you must also know when to cooperate with your spouse. A completely combative approach will get you nowhere, as will a completely docile one.

5. Not Hiring a Skilled DuPage County Divorce Attorney

Arguably, this could be one of the biggest mistakes you could make in a divorce. Hiring a competent Hinsdale, IL divorce lawyer can help immensely when it comes to the legal complexities that divorce brings. Fortunately, the attorneys at the Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio are aggressive enough to represent your best interests but cooperative enough to know when to compromise. Call the office today at 630-920-8855 to schedule a consultation.

Sources:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/common-divorce-mistakes_b_6057888

https://www.parentmap.com/article/common-divorce-mistakes-women-moms

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefflanders/2012/11/27/three-types-of-financial-mistakes-divorcing-women-make-and-how-to-avoid-them/#6fbe38d32b68

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