Four Pieces of Bad Divorce Advice to Avoid

Jun 23

, Carroll Law Office

When it comes to relationship issues and divorce, everyone seems to have an opinion. Sometimes your loved ones’ advice varies so greatly that it can be difficult to know whose words to heed and whose to disregard. While we know your loved ones have only the best intentions, the Carroll Law Office team has seen firsthand how following bad divorce advice can make an already challenging situation even worse. We recommend steering clear of some of these common examples of bad divorce advice.

1. “Stay together for the kids!”

If your relationship with your spouse is dysfunctional, your kids feel that strain, too. Whether you’re actively arguing with your spouse or simmering in quiet frustration, your children are in tune to your problems. While you may think it’s best for your kids if you remain married, the opposite may be true. A happy childhood in two households is much healthier for a child than a turmoil-filled childhood in one.

2. “Hide some money so you don’t lose it all.”

If you have friends who feel like they got the short end of the deal in their own divorces, they may offer you this dangerous advice. The truth is that concealing assets can lead not only to expensive fines but also to perjury charges. It is against the law, not to mention unfair, so don’t do this!

3. “Moms always get custody, so there’s no use in trying.” OR “Dads never get custody, so you don’t need to worry about that.”

Judges are not allowed to take parents’ gender into consideration when making custody decisions in a divorce. The family court’s priority is the child’s best interest. If you’re a dad and you feel you should have primary custody because, for example, the mother is battling alcohol addiction, there’s a very good chance the court will agree with you. Most often, though, if there are no underlying issues that pose a threat to the child, California judges believe that a joint custody arrangement is ideal.

4. “You don’t need a lawyer!”

Even if your divorce is uncontested, it is essential to have an attorney’s guidance. A divorce attorney’s role is to protect your rights in matters related to property division, child custody, child support, and alimony. These things are too important to DIY!

If you’re looking for an experienced family law attorney to represent you in your divorce, the Carroll Law Office team is here for you. Contact us today if you’re ready to get started or if you have any questions!