If you decide it is time to file for divorce, you may have a few questions – this is only natural. A common question is – can you get a divorce without a lawyer?
Legally, it is possible to file for divorce without a lawyer. However, this is not a good idea in some situations. In most cases, hiring a divorce lawyer will be beneficial for your situation.
Should you hire a divorce lawyer near you? Are you convinced you can handle the process alone? Keep reading to learn some of the reasons why hiring a divorce lawyer is in your best interest.
Understanding of the Divorce Documents and Court Proceedings
The documents required to file for divorce are often complex and confusing. If you are not experienced and do not know how to interpret them or what they mean, you may make mistakes that cost you in the long run.
If you have an uncontested divorce and have decided to move forward on your own, I can still help with filling out the paperwork. I suggest having an attorney look over everything before you sign.
It is also worth mentioning if your divorce is contested, the process of negotiating the terms of the divorce can be challenging. You may not get a fair share of your marital assets without an attorney.
Reduce the Stress of the Situation
Divorce is stressful. For most people, it involves strong emotions that can be difficult to control.
Along with the emotions, you must deal with complicated legal forms and ensure you get a fair amount of marital assets. All this can be overwhelming for someone unfamiliar with the law.
Unless you work in the legal field, there is no way to know everything needed about the divorce process. As a result, trying to get a divorce on your own may prove to be extremely difficult.
Hiring an attorney means you have someone working on your behalf to gather information and handle most of the requirements for divorce proceedings. This means you can focus on yourself and your family during this difficult time.
Child Related Issues Are Challenging
This is not an issue if you do not have any minor children with your spouse. In this case, you can handle the divorce independently if you agree on all the other issues with your spouse.
However, having a family law attorney representing your interests is recommended if minor children are involved.
Child custody is usually a delicate issue. You will likely need someone to help you understand the different custody options in the state and what they require. With the help of an attorney, you can take some of the stress out of the situation and feel confident that your interests are represented.
Your attorney can also review your financial situation and your spouse’s financial documents to determine the proper amount of child support that should be paid or received.
Having Legal Advice is Invaluable During a Divorce
Hiring an attorney with a background in helping clients through a divorce can be invaluable. The attorney you hire will be able to provide you with helpful advice that will ensure you can protect yourself and help you avoid some of the most common mistakes people make during a Florida divorce.
It is never a good idea to assume anything during a divorce. State laws will not always automatically give you half of everything you accumulated in your marriage. Also, if more difficult issues are involved in your divorce case, it is a good idea to talk to an attorney immediately.
While you may wonder, “do I need a divorce lawyer if we agree on everything,” the answer is not black and white. You may need advice from an attorney to ensure that you are getting a fair divorce settlement. Even in situations where you agree on all the issues related to your divorce, there is no way to know what is fair or what you may be entitled to if you do not talk to an attorney.
Issues Related to Debts, Alimony, and Assets
One of the biggest parts of divorce is determining who gets what. This is an issue that requires help from an experienced divorce attorney.
Remember, hiring a lawyer will give you access to trained and experienced experts who help you get what you want out of a divorce. The attorney you hire will help you sort out your marital assets and debts and determine if you are entitled to receive alimony payments.
The attorney you hire is your advocate. This means they will ensure you are not saddled with an unfair amount of marital debts. There is no reason to go through a divorce without experienced legal representation. This is especially the case when it comes to your financial situation.
Your Attorney Can Review all Documents and Agreements
The court will carefully review all the documents you file. If you are handling the process independently, this could present issues. The court may not understand your goals with your divorce issues. This may result in your divorce decree including things that you never intended.
With an attorney’s help, you have someone who will review the separation agreement and the divorce decree. With their assistance, you can feel confident that your rights, goals, and interests are protected.
Ability to Find Hidden Assets
Even if this is not your first divorce, each situation is unique. While you and your spouse may be able to reach an agreement that works for both of you, there is no way to know what will happen between that point and the final divorce hearing.
Consider the following:
- Is it possible that your spouse is hiding assets?
- Can they be trusted with your children?
- Do you think some type of deception may be involved in the pending divorce agreement?
If you are dealing with any of these issues, it is best to have an attorney helping with your claim and looking out for your best interests. Remember, divorce attorneys have seen and heard it all. As a result, they can easily detect deception and help ensure you get the best outcome for your divorce.
Avoid Mistakes
As mentioned above, the legal system in Florida that you must follow to get a divorce is complicated. This is combined with the stress of ending your marriage.
With so much going on, it is not uncommon to make mistakes. If you forget to address issues like medical debt, asset value, and credit card debt, you may not get a fair settlement in your divorce. An attorney will be able to help with these things and can ensure mistakes are not made.
The financial implications of property division can have a huge impact on your future. Because of this, having an attorney representing your interests is a must.
Have Someone Handle the Tedious Element of Filing for Divorce
Just dealing with the paperwork involved in a Florida divorce is tedious. This is not something you should attempt alone. In many situations, you must go back and forth to court, file paperwork, make changes, and more.
Also, if you find it hard to control your temper and emotions when under pressure, you should avoid having to self-represent when you are in court. After all, an outburst in court may hurt your case.
Reduce the Possibility of Delays
Even if you use all the right documents to file for divorce in Florida, you may encounter issues when it comes to completing these forms and providing the needed information and documentation.
If you go to court without proper legal representation, it may mean issues with the paperwork. This can also result in delays in having your divorce finalized. However, with an attorney, you can avoid these delays.
Do not Wait to Hire a Florida Divorce Attorney to Help with Your Case
As you can see, there are more than a few reasons to hire an attorney for help with your divorce case.
The right attorney will help you with each step of the divorce process.
If you are wondering – can you get a divorce without a lawyer in Florida – the answer is yes (technically). However, as you can see from the information above, having legal representation offers more than a few benefits.
At Griffin Family Law, PLLC, I take pride in offering my clients advice, guidance, and representation to ensure they get the desired outcome for their cases. While there are no guarantees, I work hard for my clients and help them achieve their goals. The first step is to contact my office and schedule a consultation. I will be happy to discuss your situation and help you create a plan to move forward.
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