Deciding to divorce is not easy, and unfortunately, the divorce process itself sets people up to make mistakes. You may be angry, sad, scared, or filled with anxiety over ending your marriage...and now you have the prospect of becoming entangled with the court system. If you are not careful, even small oversights or errors you make can result in a more difficult and costlier divorce.

While no two divorces are the same, there are common themes many cases have that can serve as an example for those who follow. Here are the top three mistakes I see people making in their divorces, and some suggestions on alternative responses.

Here's how to start over the right way.