Because divorce law can be complicated, you should meet with an attorney even if you think your divorce will. Yes, it is possible to file your own divorce and complete the process without the help of an attorney. However, before starting a do-it-yourself (DIY) divorce, keep these tips in mind. If you and your spouse agree on all the terms of your divorce, you can file for an uncontested divorce without the help of an attorney.
However, it is always wise to have at least one lawyer review your agreement in an uncontested divorce to ensure that your rights and interests are protected. An attorney can also ensure that the court is likely to accept your agreement and that you are not overlooking any major issues that may arise in the future. In many cases, divorces end amicably. Both parties agree on certain terms, such as custody of their minor children, division of assets, alimony, etc.
If that sounds familiar, you're lucky. Having an amicable separation makes things easier for both parties in the long run. However, you may still need to hire an attorney. However, if everything in your case does NOT agree, you will definitely need lawyers.
Fighting Your Own Divorce Case in Court Without a Lawyer Is Never a Good Idea. Fighting Without a Lawyer When Your Spouse Has a Lawyer Is an Even Worse Idea. You'll be at a tremendous disadvantage. That's not something you want to do unless you have absolutely no choice.
However, if you or your spouse plan to keep the house for ANY length of time after your divorce, not getting a lawyer is foolish. If you were completely blind because of your divorce, and you are still reeling from the fact that your marriage has ended suddenly, you need a lawyer. If you and your spouse have resolved all the financial and parenting issues, and you don't have an attorney, you can use the Uncontested Divorce Form Pack. If you do not have the financial capacity to hire a divorce lawyer, you should contact your local legal aid office or a local bar association.
Because divorce law can be complicated, you should meet with an attorney even if you think your divorce will not be contested. As noted above, even in an uncontested divorce, it is a good idea for each party to have an attorney who at least reviews the agreement for legal problems and risks. If you do not qualify for a free court-appointed lawyer, or if you need an attorney to handle matters that the court-appointed attorney cannot handle, there may be help according to the law. Finally, if you're terrified, horrified, or bewildered by what you're going to do now that you're getting a divorce, you need a lawyer.
While online document production services likely produce legal documents that are better than what a non-lawyer could write, they are not as good as what a lawyer would write. The more complicated your divorce is, and the more you have at stake, the more sense it will make to hire a divorce lawyer to do your divorce papers for you. And lawyers can take more account of child custody issues and what the court considers to be a parenting plan that has the best interests of the child. Lawyers are accused of being enthusiastic defenders of their clients' interests, so you need to make sure you make your interests clear to your lawyer right from the start.
You know you need help, but you've heard so many horror stories about how divorce lawyers make things worse, that you're not sure you want or need a divorce lawyer. The simpler your financial situation, the less you need an attorney to help you resolve and protect it. But, unless you have a fairly simple divorce, and it's totally amicable, “going alone, can end up costing you a lot more than anything you would have spent on a divorce lawyer. .
