Divorced Dads - Don't Make These BIG Mistakes

There are many negative stereotypes impacting fathers throughout the family law system. Sadly, many fathers don’t recognize how their behaviours and actions can mean the difference between a successful outcome or becoming a “weekend dad”. If you want to survive your divorce intact and maximize your children’s time with you, avoid the following big mistakes: 


Big Mistake Number 1: The New Car Or New  “Stuff”.


Our society views men as financial providers to their families – it’s one of the obvious bias issues throughout the family law system. Do you think that it’s possible your ex-spouse is going to use the fact that you just purchased a new car against you when she is still driving the old clunker she used during the marriage? Where did the money come from to buy the new car? Weren’t you just recently claiming that you could barely afford the existing level of child support?


This mistake happens all the time with fathers and it doesn’t necessarily have to be a new car purchase. It could be the purchase of new furniture, a fabulous home entertainment system, the purchase of a new condo or a new house.


You can’t plead poverty to avoid paying child support when you are bankrolling major purchases so be mindful of this fact when you are going through a divorce or you are dealing with post divorce conflict.


Big Mistake Number 2: The New Girlfriend


This mistake is bound to be controversial, so before you start complaining that you have a right to get on with your life, try to remember that TIMING IS EVERYTHING IN A CUSTODY DISPUTE!


Your desire to start a common-law relationship with your new girlfriend just months after you have separated is going to be portrayed by mom and her lawyer as your inability to live on your own and your desire to find a replacement caregiver to your children. They will also argue that because your new girlfriend is working and you are both living together that your financial resources have been freed up to increase child or spousal support.