A divorce is emotionally draining, capable of testing the nerves of even the most patient people. While you will face difficult moments, it’s important to remain on your best behavior throughout the process. The Law Offices of Charley Johnson in Leon County, TX, share what actions you should and should not take to ensure efficient proceedings.

Do:

Cooperate as much as possible.

Keep an open mind when it comes to compromises. The reality is you will probably not get your way 100% of the time. Coming to an agreement can be faster and less stressful than battling over every detail.

Keep a cool head.

Passionate outbursts will not help your case. A display of anger, for instance, could raise questions regarding your fitness as a parent and jeopardize your claim to child custody. Let your divorce attorney do any difficult talking to ensure you remain composed.

Be proactive about co-parenting.

Stick to temporary custody or visitation arrangements. Communicate with your spouse about when you’ll be spending time with the children and where you will be. You don’t want issues—like your spouse thinking you’ve run off with the kids—to negatively impact permanent agreements.

Don’t:

Discuss your divorce with others.

You don’t want gossip to add to any bad blood between you and your ex, so refrain from posting on social media. Disparaging posts about your former partner only make you look irresponsible. 

Try to hide assets.

Some people might “give away” a car or other valuable item to a close friend or family member—with the agreement to have it returned later. Don’t bother trying these tricks, as such behavior is closely monitored.

Make major life changes.

Don’t make plans to uproot your life, like taking a job in another state. This could delay the finalization of your divorce. Even smaller changes, like a new romantic relationship, can cause difficulties. For example, if your new partner has any kind of black mark on their record, your ex can argue they shouldn’t be around kids and make a play for full custody.

Trust a divorce lawyer to handle complicated paperwork and protect your interests. As a neutral third party, they can also act as an emotional buffer in negotiations with your ex. For help in Leon County, look to The Law Offices of Charley Johnson. They will manage the process with as little confrontation as possible and make sure to fight for your rights and go to court if needed. For an appointment call (903) 536-2185 today, or visit me online to learn more about my practice areas.