You are going through a divorce. This is an emotional period where lots of things are changing very fast. Now is NOT the time to make it harder on yourself.

Here are the top 5 things you should NOT do during your divorce.

1. Do not change the locks:

Do NOT change locks or lock your spouse out of the house. Just don’t do it. You are not allowed to do this regardless of whether the other spouse has no title or interest in the property.

2. Do not stop paying the monthly bills:

Do NOT stop paying monthly bills. By doing so, you could get into debt, which just makes the divorce more expensive. You will also ruin your credit. Most importantly, you can’t just stop!

A judge will make you continue paying the bills you paid for during the duration of the marriage. This is called the “status quo”. Every County has an administrative order requiring the divorcing spouse to abide by keeping a status quo until the divorce is finalized.

3. Do not move/disappear with your children:

Do NOT take your children and run. Judges do not like this. You won’t want to relocate your children without the proper legal orders in place. This is a HUGE no-no!

Every State has a Statute that prohibits parents from relocating with their children without consent from the other parent or by court order. This area in the law is complex, and assistance from a professional is highly recommended. To read more on relocating with minor children, check out our blog post here.

4. Do not close your joint bank accounts or transfer funds:

Do NOT close your joint bank accounts. It might be tempting to try and protect your money, but this is not the right move.

As mentioned above, every County has an administrative order requiring the divorcing spouse to abide by keeping a status quo until the divorce is finalized. Courts offer other options for spouses who fear that the other spouse will remove money from joint accounts or dissipate assets. Filing for an injunction prohibiting the other spouse from using or accessing the account is one option you may consider.

5. Do not let your emotions take over:

Do NOT let your emotions take over. Court proceedings may use your excessive celebration or expressions of anger against you, especially if documented through texts, emails, voicemails, videos, or social media while in an emotional state.

Conclusion

The legal process can get difficult, which is why we always recommend that you seek the assistance of counsel; or at least have a consultation. Schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today to review the issues of your case, the legal options you may have, and certain rights that pertain to your unique situation.

Have more questions? Let us know by sending an email to: questions@legallotus.legal and we will do our best to develop content to provide you with direction and insight!

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