Divorce is common in Virginia. In fact, the city with the highest divorce rate is Dumbarton where 18.9 percent of the population has gone through divorce.
Divorcing from a spouse costs people both time and money. However, there are mistakes spouses commit all the time in court that draw out the process or make everything costlier. For an easier time, it is best to avoid the following mistakes when in court.
1. Not having the right paperwork
Going to court entails discussions of alimony and child support. You should come ready with pay stubs, tax returns and bank statements that show how much money you have. You also need paperwork detailing any debts you owe. Going to court without these documents will only upset the judge.
2. Dressing inappropriately
Since it is not a criminal trial, plenty of people think they can dress however they want, and it will not impact the outcome. You want to dress appropriately for the judge, and you can actually hurt your case if you dress the wrong way. For example, if you want to get out of paying as much in alimony, then you should not appear in court wearing expensive jewelry and clothes.
3. Interrupting the judge
It is common courtesy to never interrupt the judge. In the event you feel like interjecting, you should write down your thoughts or questions down on a piece of paper. The judge will allow you to speak eventually, and you can bring up pertinent matters at that time.
4. Making unreasonable requests
No matter how badly a spouse hurt you, you should seek reasonable solutions to all issues. Asking for an excessively high amount in alimony will only drag the court proceedings out further. The judge will ensure you receive a fair amount, so going in with decent compromises increases the chances of finalizing the divorce sooner rather than later.