Divorce is never easy, and the legal process can add even more stress to an already difficult time. We’ve seen how common missteps can cause lasting financial and emotional consequences. If you are looking for a qualified and compassionate Chicago, IL divorce lawyer who has guided 100s of people through this difficult time, Merel Family Law is here to help. Our team has over 221 years of combined experience helping people with divorces and other family law matters. Since our founding in 2009 by locally and nationally recognized attorney, Jonathan Merel, we’ve guided thousands through the legal process with clarity and confidence.
Not Having A Clear Picture Of Finances
One of the most common mistakes is going into a divorce without a full understanding of your financial situation. This includes bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, debts, and monthly expenses, as well as any businesses that you and your spouse own, even if they are not jointly owned. Without this knowledge, it becomes difficult to negotiate fair terms for property division, child support, or maintenance. We advise clients to gather financial records early and make copies of everything. It’s also a good idea to start tracking your individual income and expenses right away.
Making Emotional Decisions
It’s natural for emotions to run high during a divorce, but decisions made out of anger or frustration can have long-term effects. Some people may try to “win” the divorce or punish their spouse, which usually leads to longer, more expensive proceedings. We encourage a practical approach—focus on what you need to move forward and what’s in the best interest of any children involved.
Overlooking The Importance Of A Parenting Plan
When children are involved, not having a solid parenting plan can lead to serious problems down the road. A clear plan outlines each parent’s responsibilities and helps avoid future disputes. It should cover time-sharing, decision-making, transportation, holidays, and communication. We often see parents agree to informal arrangements without realizing how quickly things can change. Putting everything in writing protects everyone involved.
Ignoring The Long-Term Impact Of Property Decisions
Some people are eager to keep the house or walk away with certain assets without considering long-term costs. For example, keeping a home may feel like a win, but can become a financial burden if income decreases or maintenance costs rise. Before making property decisions, it’s important to assess whether you can afford to maintain the asset long-term. We help clients review these details so they don’t agree to something they’ll regret later.
Failing To Follow Temporary Court Orders
Even if they feel wrong and are frustrating you to no end, if temporary orders are in place for things such as child support, child custody, or spousal support it is extremely important to follow them because failing to do this can hurt your credibility in the eyes of judges who take these orders very seriously. Violating them—even for seemingly minor reasons—can affect the outcome of the final settlement. We advise our clients to stick to all court instructions until the case is resolved.
Not Asking The Right Questions
Unless you have been through the divorce process before or have been close to someone who has gone through it, there is a good chance that you will be unfamiliar with its legal terms and procedures. You should not feel afraid to ask questions in order to feel empowered when making decisions.
It’s easy to overlook important issues if you’re not asking the right questions. We believe it’s always better to speak up and ask than to guess and risk agreeing to something that doesn’t make sense. We make sure our clients are informed throughout the entire process, and no question is too small.
At Merel Family Law, we take a direct and thoughtful approach to every case. We understand that divorce is a major life event, and the decisions you make now will affect your future. If you’re considering divorce or are already in the process, contact us today. Our experienced team is here to provide the support and legal guidance you need to move forward with confidence.
