Divorce – Do It Right

Divorce – Do It Right

Errors In Divorce Papers That Can Derail The Legal Process

by Joyce Diaz

When it comes to filing divorce papers, you need to get everything right and consistent in all the documents. A "simple" error can set you back days or even weeks and add more expenses to your divorce process. Here are some of the common errors that you should watch out for:

Name Inconsistency

People write their names differently depending on situations and places. For example, how you write your name on social media may be different from the way you write it on your school papers. However, when filing for divorce or when you are served with divorce papers, you need to write your official name in full just as it is in your other official papers, such as driver's license or passport. After that, stick with the same names for the rest of the divorce proceedings; don't add or remove an initial or middle name or change the spelling.

Incomplete List of Assets

Asset division is one of the most controversial things during divorce. The courts know this, too, which is why divorcing partners are expected to list all their assets in their divorce papers. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget an asset or two, which may make your spouse or the court think that you are trying to hide something. There are also people who deliberately omit some assets from the list, but that is illegal.

As a side note, you should know that the term "property" (in divorce context) refers to both tangible and intangible assets (such as money in the bank). Make sure to provide a complete list of your assets so you don't have to go back in the divorce process.

Change in Address

Your address is important because you should always be easy to reach during your divorce. Your address is also where some of your divorce papers will be delivered. This is why it's important to have your correct and full address on all your divorce papers where they are needed. Don't forget to update your address when you move; otherwise, you can easily miss some important court dates as the relevant notices may be delivered to the wrong address.

Errors with Checking of Boxes

A common way of filling official forms is to have the relevant parties tick the appropriate boxes. It is easy to make mistakes with such boxes, for example, by ticking the wrong boxes or leaving some boxes blank. This is especially possible if you are handling the divorce papers while hurt, angry, or in a hurry.

A huge advantage of using a divorce lawyer is that they will check all your papers and make sure they are properly filled. Do your best to provide the lawyer with honest answers to help them help you better. For more information and help, contact a local law firm, such as Eschbacher Law.


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About Me

Divorce – Do It Right

Hello. My name is Stephanie Laurel. I have recently been through a divorce, and although I don’t wish it on anyone, I do wish that everyone could come out of the proceedings feeling they have been taken care of. My husband and I had been married twenty-eight years. We have four children, two of which are still under eighteen years of age. We owned the home we lived in and had a vacation home in a different state. We are civilized people, we get along fairly well considering, but no matter how much we thought we could go through the divorce process without lawyers, it wasn't possible. We each hired a divorce attorney to represent us. Most of the negotiations went well, but when we hit a rough spot the attorneys took over. Thank goodness. I’m going to share more about the experience and hope it helps you.