Do I need a lawyer? DIY divorce may be a false economy
Financial stress and disagreements over money fuel many of the conflicts that arise during marriage, and during divorce financial issues may come into even sharper focus. Not only do divorcing couples frequently argue over who should get what, but in many cases they even disagree about how much money to spend on the divorce itself. One way that people in this situation often try to save money is by opting for a “do-it-yourself” divorce rather than working with a divorce attorney – but unfortunately, in many cases this strategy ends up being far more costly in the long run.
Details matter – a lot
When it comes to divorce settlement agreements, any mistakes that are made while creating the agreement can end up having big consequences later on. There are all kinds of reasons that it may become necessary to revisit the divorce settlement agreement later on down the road. For example, if one spouse falls behind on his or her alimony paymentsor fails to adhere to the terms of the agreed-upon child custody arrangement, the other spouse may need to go to court in order to enforce the agreement.
In situations like these, the way the agreement is written can make a world of difference, since even seemingly minor errors, oversights or ambiguities can dramatically affect the clarity and enforceability of the document in the eyes of the law. As a result, the agreement may be found unenforceable or it may be enforced in a way that is different than what the spouses intended. Even if the agreement does end up being enforced as intended, the process of clarifying any ambiguities after the fact can be costly and time consuming.
By collaborating with a skilled divorce lawyer, clients can have peace of mind knowing that their intentions have been clearly and thoroughly documented in full compliance with the law.
A lawyer can advise you of your rights and options
In addition to making sure that your divorce settlement agreement is complete and legally enforceable, another major benefit to getting help from an experienced family law attorney during divorce is that these lawyers are well-versed in the laws that are relevant to the specific situation. This means that they can make sure divorcing individuals are fully aware of their rights regarding property division, child custody and other important matters relating to divorce, and will work hard on clients’ behalf to make sure that their rights and interests are protected.
If you considering divorce, be sure to consult with an experienced family law attorney who can help you protect your rights and interests.