Refer Chicago Tribune February 01, 2011
Q: Why do men need gender-specific advice about not making stupid mistakes when 
facing divorce?
A: Technically, any of the 10 items below can pertain to either gender. However, you find these mistakes occurring in far greater numbers for men.
Q: What mistakes top the list?
A: One of the worst mistakes would definitely be doing a sloppy job on financial records. Taking care of these documents is pivotal to the outcome of the divorce settlement, in particular, the statement of income, expenses and property. All of these documents become part of the court record and ultimately determine the amount of maintenance and child support that is paid, and who lives in the house.
A lot of guys are way too casual about this step and just don’t give it the attention that they should. You might have to pay a little more on the front end in attorney fees, but at the end of the day, not being attentive to these financial records can be one of the costliest mistakes a client can make.
The 10 no-nos
Here’s a snapshot of the advice readers will find in lawyer Joseph Cordell’s “The 10 Stupidest Mistakes Men Make When Facing Divorce.”
Here’s a snapshot of mistakes men often make, from attorney Joseph Cordell’s book:
1. Moving out before divorce proceedings begin. “In custody contests, the continued daily interaction with your children and intimate awareness of the details of their day is key.”
2. Choosing the wrong lawyer. “It’s reasonable to ask lawyers how many divorces they have tried.”
3. Waiting for your wife to file. “Judges, even after all their legal training and experience, are still prone to give a lot of weight to the story they hear first.”
4. Concealing information. “Your lawyer needs to know anything and everything your wife might say about you to hurt you or your case.”
5. Neglecting the children. “Part of your duty during divorce proceedings, and well after the ink has dried on the divorce decree, is to protect both parents’ relationships with the kids.”
6. Doing a sloppy job on financial records. Sloppy financial reporting, Cordell writes, can hurt your credibility during the divorce proceedings.
7. Talking too much, especially to your wife. “Avoid talking to other people, too, especially family and friends, and in-laws most of all.”
8. Revealing too much on the Internet. “The Web is the worst place to keep a secret. And anything can be subject to misinterpretation.”
9. Failing to fully engage in your case. “Listen to your attorney, and ask questions if you don’t understand anything.”
10. Being ill-prepared. “Don’t avoid preparing to testify or be interviewed just because you’re nervous or uncomfortable or don’t want to think about it.”
Steven W. Hair, focuses his practice as a divorce attorney, family law attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, and Safety Harbor.
For more information, visit our website at www.FamilyLawClearwater.com
or call (727) 726-0797.