Through life’s trials and tribulations, it is important to have a tribe– friends you can count on to help overcome any hardships that may come your way. As you navigate your divorce, you will probably think the best advice you can get will come from your friends. And while they might have provided you with sound advice in other situations, their advice about your divorce can cause more harm than good. This is especially true when it comes to any legal or financial matters about the process. When it comes to your divorce, avoid asking your friends for advice. Below are some reasons why…
#1: Friends Tend To Forget That All Divorce Proceedings Are Different
Sure, you and your friends know each other’s stories. You’ve been there for each other through the ups and downs. There’s no doubt that they have your best interest at heart, but your situation is just that– yours. If your friends have gone through a divorce or separation, what worked well for them might not work for you. It is important that you do not make choices based on theirs as it could lead to serious legal or financial consequences before all is said and done. Any advice that may raise or lower your expectations in your settlement is not good advice. You are already going through a lot, the last thing you need to do is complicate the process emotionally. Even if your friend has been divorced or they are a financial or legal professional, if they do not work specifically in family law or asset division, you should leave the divorce advice to the experts.
#2: Friends Often Fail To See The Whole Picture
We tell our friends a lot but that does not mean that they know everything that goes on behind closed doors. Regardless of how close you are with someone, the only person who truly knows what you are going through is you. Even if you break down all the financial aspects like how much you both earn, the value of your home, how much money is in the bank, and what other valuable assets you have together, they don’t know how you will have to distribute those assets in your divorce. They also will be unsure about how to process all of your financial information objectively or legally. As nice as it is to have another person’s perspective, a biased one might not help you get everything you are lawfully entitled to.
#3: Friends Aren’t Aware Of Divorce Laws
If your friends aren’t practicing family law in Kentucky, they don’t know divorce law. People tend to think because they have watched friends or relatives going through a divorce and gained secondhand knowledge or because they spend their weekday afternoons watching divorce court, they are filled with all the advice you need. Unfortunately, what you see on television is not the same as actual law– family law in Kentucky can be quite complicated. You’ve probably heard that Kentucky is a 50/50 state, but it is not that cut and dry. Between child custody and dividing assets, each divorce is unique and comes with its own set of issues.
#4: Friends Lack Objectivity
#5: Friendly Ties And Fine Lines
Contact (954-451-0050) Akilah Harris, PLLC for a Consultation!
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