Ed
Sherman
Divorce specialist
attorney Ed Sherman observes, "The right information can put you
in control and make your divorce smoother, faster, cheaper, less
aggravating and less painful." Sherman reveals four common traps
and how to avoid them when going through a divorce: Ignorance
is the most common trap you will face when getting divorced. To
get through your divorce with the most peace of mind, while spending
the least amount of money, you need to know all the facts and
have all relevant documents in order.
• It's tempting
to ignore financial details, but if you don't take the trouble
to understand what's going on in your financial life and what
you're entitled to, you might as well hang a big "victim" sign
around your neck.
• Ignorance
makes you feel helpless and makes it easy for you to be manipulated
into accepting a bad deal.
• The worst
thing you can do is go to a lawyer without any information or
preparation and ask for a divorce. You'll waste a lot of time
and money, and you won't receive the respect given an informed
client. Bad Judgment is a real hazard when emotions are running
high, as is normal in divorce. Insecurity can cripple you. Fear
and anger can make you grasp for too much or surrender too much,
leading to a settlement you may regret.
• Keep business
and emotional issues separate.
• Don't jump
to sudden conclusions or make impulsive agreements.
• Don't sign
anything you haven't thought about or don't understand. Excessive
Spending is very common before, during and after a separation.
It is used as an anesthetic for emotional pain. After separation
you need money to set up two separate lifestyles, and can't afford
neurotic spending driven by emotional upset.
• Control
impulsive and compulsive spending the same way you would control
neurotic eating habits.
• Do all you
can to keep yourself open, centered and strong.
• Deal with
your emotional issues instead of reacting and running from them.
Hiding Money can happen when it becomes clear that a divorce is
coming and one spouse starts salting money away in a private stash.
• This is
OK if you do it without cheating - it can give you a sense of
security, independence and control.
• Be on the
lookout for cheating, where your spouse may be secretly diverting
marital assets into a separate account. You may need an attorney
to protect the marital estate and your interest in it.
• When a divorce
is coming, watch where income goes and keep a close eye on account
withdrawals. Take a close look at financial transactions during
the previous year.
Article Directory:
http://www.articlecube.com Ed Sherman is a divorce specialist
attorney and award-winning author of How to Do Your Own Divorce
in California. His books and software have saved millions of people
billions of dollars in unnecessary attorney fees. Visit Nolo |