It’s easy to say you want to get your divorce over with, but if you don’t do it right, you could end up hurting yourself in the long run. Imagine if you went to a surgeon who decided to “get it over with” and perform a surgery the same day after doing no tests. He or she could seriously hurt a patient. The same idea applies to a divorce. Without the right education and support for your claims, you could make mistakes that end up hurting you.
What can you do to make your divorce better for everyone without dragging it out? Be prepared. Before you decide you’re getting a divorce, start collecting legal and financial documents. Gather your important items and make copies of them. When you speak to your attorney, you want to have as much information as possible.
Resolving your divorce: Why “getting it over with” hurts you
Getting a divorce over with might seem like a good idea when you’re hurting, but that pain lasts much longer if you make bad decisions while separating. Making quick decisions based on fear or emotion won’t help you resolve your divorce but will leave you open to making snap decisions that come back to haunt you.
Here’s an example. If you decide you want to end your marriage, you might feel guilty and say your wife can have whatever she wants just to sign the agreement. She may take the majority of your assets and even ask for alimony. Agreeing to those terms may not be in your best interests, so it’s a good idea to talk over the terms of any separation agreement with your attorney.
Making decisions when you’re emotional is almost always a bad idea. You may agree to terms you never would if you were in a normal situation. It’s better to take time after reading over negotiations and requests before agreeing or disagreeing. Take the time to work out what each agreement means for you and your future. What may seem like a small negotiation on your end now could end up costing you thousands later. You don’t want to make mistakes that cost you money or make it more difficult for you to live a comfortable life following your divorce.
Fortunately, most attorneys know what to look for and will advise you appropriately during your divorce. Take a deep breath and remember that what you decide now will impact you later on.
