4 things to avoid when going through a divorce

Divorce puts people in very difficult positions. Parties who once hoped to spend their lives together must not separate their assets, their time with their children and their lives. Therefore, people may do or say things they later regret.

While every case is different, know that there are some general missteps you will want to avoid if you are divorcing.

1. Spending too much time on social media – Spending too much time on social media can be counterproductive. Things you say and online could come back to haunt you during mediation or litigation, for instance. Further, some reports argue that social media boosts loneliness and depression. Instead of going online, consider seeking out real-world networks and resources.
2. Putting too much weight in anecdotal advice – Your friends and family probably want to do whatever they can to help you. This includes sharing their own experiences with you. However, their experiences are unique to them. Do not take them for fact or legal standards. Instead, rely on your attorney for personal legal guidance.
3. Indulging in expensive purchases – During a difficult time, vacations, spa services and other indulgences can seem like the answer to all that is stressing you out. However, be wary of spending too much on such extravagances. Overspending during divorce could leave you at risk of receiving a lower percentage of your marital property. It could also leave you financially strapped when you are on a tighter budget after divorce.
4. Taunting your ex – Showing off a new partner, flaunting new purchases or pushing your ex’s buttons in an effort to get them to lash out can make the divorce more contentious. This can drag out a divorce and destroy any progress or amicability you may have been able to find in mediation or collaboration.

Not only can these missteps jeopardize the divorce process, which may be otherwise amicable, but they can also do a disservice to you. You may not realize it right away, but engaging in these short-term solutions can have long-term consequences with which you alone must cope.

As such, making an effort to avoid these behaviors can help make this process a little easier.