MISTAKES THAT CLIENTS MAKE

David P. Badanes, Esq.

If you are involved in a matrimonial or family law issue, you want to avoid the following mistakes that many clients make. Here are ten mistakes that you do not want to make:

#1: Facebook or MySpace pages contain incriminating photographs or statements. If you have a Facebook or Myspace page, delete it, now and then remove yourself from these websites. You can be sure that if there any incriminating photographs or statements on your Facebook page that they will be used in Court. The photographs and posts can be used in Court to make you look bad. Get rid of them. Then, you should remove your entire account. Simply placing a lock on your account is not enough, because there are computer experts who can unlock your account.

#2: Not telling your attorney everything. That means you have to tell your attorney all the “bad” things you may have done as well as everything else. Your attorney needs to be fully informed in order to represent you properly.

#3: Not paying child support. If there are children involved and you are the non-custodial parent, then you must pay child support. This is true, regardless of whether or not there is a formal court order requiring you to pay child support.

#4: Domestic violence. Clearly, you must not engage in any type of domestic violence.

#5: Verbal abuse (including cursing). Verbal abuse, including cursing at your spouse will not be tolerated by the Courts. In addition, you should assume that everything you are doing is either being recorded on audio tape, recorded on video tape, or is being photographed.

#6: Not keeping separate bank accounts: Once you know that you are getting divorced or separated, you must open a separate checking and separate savings accounts. You should open these accounts at a different bank (not just a different branch).

#7: Moving out of the house. Unless there is an order of protection against you, you should never move out of the house. There are many reasons why moving out of the house is a bad idea, especially if you have children. Even if you have to sleep on the couch, do not move out of the house.

#8: Introducing children to your new “significant other”: Before you are legally divorced, you want to be extremely careful about introducing your children to your new significant other. If possible, do not introduce your children to your new “friend.”

#9: Going on vacations or spending money on frivolous items: If you are trying to convince the Court that you have no money or that you need alimony (maintenance), then you cannot spend money on vacations or on frivolous items. Postpone any non-essential spending until the divorce is final.

#10: Trying to hide money or submitting inaccurate financial information. Do not try to hide money or submit incorrect financial information.

The Badanes Law Office has assisted numerous individuals in matrimonial and family law. Call the Badanes Law Office today at: 631-239-1702, email us at: dbattorney@optonline.net or visit our web site: www.dbnylaw.com.