Oct 13, 2015

by Van Den Heuvel Law Office

Celebrities are no strangers to failed marriages. You can’t turn the TV on, surf the web, or walk through the grocery store magazine aisle without seeing some kind of news story about a celebrity couple that is calling it quits. Whether the stories are true or not, there’s no end to news about celebrity divorce. While celebrities do seem to file for divorce at a high rate, the fact is there are a lot more non-famous couples that get divorced than there are famous ones. It’s also very true that both famous and non-famous couples make the same kinds of mistakes in divorce, which means no matter who you are you should be aware of some of the most common mistakes you should avoid in divorce.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they end their marriage is to allow spite be their guide. Most couples that divorce carry harsh feelings towards one another and when it comes time to make important decisions they tend to draw on those harsh feelings. However, instead of being combative and fighting tooth-and-nail every step of the way, it’s better just to take the high road, especially in regards to the small things. For example, when it comes to dividing property, in many instances, it can make the process a whole lot smoother and cheaper if one spouse simply lets the insignificant items go. This might be tough but it can save you a lot of stress, time and money in the long run. Remember, divorce is a process that a person wants to come out of restored and not broken.

Another big mistake that people make is to enter the divorce process with unrealistic expectations. This can be very harmful because you can end up with much less than you expected, which could put you in a difficult position when the divorce is final. For example, if you spend no time with your children, it is not realistic to think that you will get full custody rights with your children. Other people who get divorced enter the process with a false belief that the courts will make everything right. This is another misconception that can be costly. The court process can be very long and judges are only there to ensure that laws are upheld. It’s wrong to believe that a judge will quickly rule automatically in your favor simply out of sympathy.

These are just some of the common mistakes that people make when they choose to get a divorce. People do make mistakes, but many of those mistakes could be avoided. If you are considering divorce then you should be aware of these misconceptions and make sure that you have a true understanding of how the process works. It’s also always a good idea to consult with an experienced Grand Rapids divorce lawyer before you move forward.