Family Law

Preparing for Divorce in Mississippi: Step 12 - Behave

By Robert M. Kisselburgh, Esq.

Step 12 - Behave

In the last step in preparing for divorce in Mississippi comes the most basic and most ignored step in the process. Behave. What I mean is in a divorce, your conduct is judged by many. During a divorce, you live in a fish bowl, so behave.

Your spouse, their family and friends, their attorney, and others (including private investigators) will look for any bad behavior on your part. Most importantly, if you go to court, the chancellor will judge your conduct. Emotions run high in a divorce, but keep them in check. You don't want to hear a tape recording of you yelling at your spouse played back in court. It might have been an isolated incident, but it can set the tone for the remainder of the court proceedings.

Also, behave when it comes to your social life. You are still married. Now is not the time to hit the single bars and live it up. If that is your goal, wait until you are divorced. Also, don't date. You're still married. Remember, during a divorce many attorneys will request a copy of your cell phone records and e-mails, so watch who you call and watch what you say in e-mails. They are not private.

FInally, a word of caution for those with children. You and your spouse are getting divorced, not your children. Your children are part of you and your spouse. If you criticize your spouse in front of your children or to your children, you are only tearing down your children. Save your gripes about your spouse for your close friend, family member, or therapist. Do not put the children in the middle. They will have a hard enough time with the divorce. This rule applies even if your spouse does not follow it. Be the better person and take the high road. It pays in the long run.

Full post as published by Mississippi Family Law Blog on December 28, 2007 (boomark / email).