Document Errors

• When you first receive your final divorce papers, it is important to check them for mistakes. Since they are legally binding documents, it is important that they are accurate. Check for spelling errors and other obvious typing errors. These should all be fixed. If you encounter a provision that is unable to be completed due to an account being closed or a possession that you no longer own, you should have the papers altered to show this. In other instances, if you can prove that you were under duress or not in your right mind at the time you signed the papers, you may be able to get some aspects reversed without an appeal.
  
  

Appeal

• In some cases, you may be unhappy with the outcome of the divorce and may feel that the judge misruled on some issue within the decree. In this situation, if you feel that the judge made a mistake or you were coerced into something against your better judgment, you can appeal the decision of the judge. However, this requires that you pay more to an attorney to handle the appeal. It is unwise to appeal without the aid of an attorney. There is a time limit for an appeal, usually 30 days.
  
  

File Contempt

• If your ex-spouse is failing to follow any part of the order, such as failure to pay child support, missed visitation or failure to handle required debts, you can file a contempt charge against your ex. For a first offense, your ex may only get a talking to from the judge, but if it happens again, you will have an established history. If your ex is found in contempt, the orders will not change. It will only result in enforcement of your current orders.
  
  

Modification

• Especially when your divorce papers include issues such as child support and visitation, you may need to request a modification in the future. These modifications are typically only granted when there has been a change of circumstances that warrant a change, not because things are just not working. For instance, if you lost your job and your new job does not pay you as much, you can file for a modification of child support to alter the amount to fit the new circumstances.