Divorce is difficult enough without trying to heighten animosity and tension between spouses. Resorting to dirty deeds can backfire on the offending spouse in court, prolong the divorce process, and increase the cost of the divorce for both parties with their Dupage County divorce lawyers. Maintaining a level playing field is always in the best interest of all involved.
Tampering with Ex’s Financial Future
It may be tempting for one spouse to hide assets or money from the other spouse. This is common with people who own businesses who want to devalue that asset. To avoid paying or reduce alimony or child support obligations, a spouse might quit his or her job or ask to defer a raise or promotion until the divorce is finalized.
Excessive Motions
Slamming the other spouse with one motion after another can be a way to use the legal system to bankrupt him or her. This abuse of the courts can quickly increase the other spouse’s legal fees and cause him or her to miss work and lose pay.
Blindsiding a Spouse with Request for Divorce
It is possible for one spouse to be unaware that the other wants a divorce. When requesting that divorce, the spouse should do it privately, not in front of others, and never during a time of celebration, including the couple’s wedding anniversary or the birth of a child.
Ridiculing a Spouse or Allowing Others to Do So
Divorcing spouses should never involve children or mutual friends in their fights against one another. Ridiculing or slandering a spouse to gain loyalty from children or friends only increases animosity. It is also not in the best interest of the couple’s children.
When things get nasty, opposing counsel might needlessly slander the other spouse in an attempt to gain leverage. Divorce lawyers work for their clients and must comply with their wishes when representing them.
Going Back on Agreement to Keep Divorce Friendly
It is always in the best interest of both spouses and any children involved to keep the divorce friendly. This can be accomplished through mediation or the collaborate divorce process and at a lesser cost than if the divorce were to be battled in court. If one spouse goes back on his or her word, this could entirely blindside the other spouse.