Men going through a Kentucky divorce can sometimes feel as if they wound up with the short end of the stick. Despite these more enlightened times, some family court judges still appear to favor the mother over the father in custody battles.
But all too often, men walk out of court with less than they had hoped for because they couldn’t get out of their own way. Below are five mistakes to avoid when divorcing.
Offering to move out
This is a strategic error, as once you move out, you may have to pay interim spousal support, and if there are minor kids, you will definitely be ordered to cough up child support. You can wind up supporting two households and having nothing to show for it.
Social media faux pas
Say it with me — the internet never forgets. Whether it was a tasteless tweet that you shared about your extramarital exploits or a drunken Facebook status after a night of pub-crawling, you must realize that you and your lifestyle are under a microscope now. It’s stupid to hand your wife’s attorney evidence that will most certainly be used to paint you in the worst possible light.
Losing your temper
While her post-separation antics might be driving you crazy, put a lid on it. Losing your temper and blasting back at your soon-to-be ex-wife can be perceived as a threat by her and the police. Be smart and don’t give her the reaction she wants.
Flaunting a new girlfriend
You’ve already moved on and want your ex to know it, so you hit the town with your new love interest. Even if they filed for divorce, few wives enjoy seeing their replacements hanging on their husbands like arm candy.
You also don’t want to spend a lot of money on your girlfriend or your dates until the divorce is final. That opens doors into your finances that you might prefer remain shut.
Hiding assets
Stashing marital assets or roping friends into shady shell games of purchases to make it appear as if you are worth less than you actually are can backfire spectacularly. Not only will you lose all credibility to the court, you could face criminal charges if you’ve perjured yourself.
Remember to listen to good advice from your attorney whenever there is a dilemma. He or she can steer you in the right direction.
Source: Men’s Fitness, “Divorce Mistakes That Will Ruin Your Life,” Sam DeHority & Sunil Ramsamooj, accessed Feb. 16, 2018