4 Reasons You Should Avoid A Do-It-Yourself Divorce
If you and your spouse have decided to divorce and are on good terms with each other, you may be thinking about doing the paperwork yourself and saving money. Perhaps you have a book that you purchased that tells you exactly how to go about it. All of the forms that you need can be purchased at a legal store. However, a do-it-yourself divorce is not a good idea. The following are just a few reasons for this.
1. You may omit important elements of a divorce settlement
When you attempt to do your own divorce, you will likely overlook certain issues that will be important in the future. And if there are children in your marriage, you will certainly need to have a comprehensive agreement that covers the issues that pertain to parenting both today and what may occur in the future. An attorney will ask all of the necessary questions, so nothing is left out.
2. You may create misunderstandings
Not only will a divorce settlement be comprehensive when an attorney is used, but before you and your spouse agree to it, the attorney will be able to explain everything in plain English, so there are no surprises.
3. You may make mistakes on the forms
By using an attorney, the paperwork will be filled out correctly and filed properly. Let's face it; there is no way you can get years of legal experience by reading a how-to book. The chances of a divorce lawyer making a mistake is minimal. These legal forms are a routine part of their job. If you fill out one or more forms and there are mistakes, or required information is missing, the result will be a delay in the divorce process. An attorney can help to prevent these delays.
4. You will have no access to legal advice
Perhaps the biggest reason to avoid a do-it-yourself divorce is that you have no one to ask advice. Often a part of a divorce settlement is making choices. Many things are not determined by law but are up to you to decide on. An attorney can offer you his or her legal opinion so that you will be better informed. Without a law degree and years of experience, you cannot keep your own counsel to yourself with the choices you face.
Saving money by doing your own divorce may sound like a good idea, but in the long run, it can be expensive. In addition, it is worth thinking about getting separate attorneys. In truth, an attorney will do a better job when there is no potential conflict of interest between the parties involved. For more information, check out your local family law attorney.
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