Whether you’re considering a divorce or you have already started the process, one of the most common questions is whether or not you should hire an attorney. Money may be tight right now—figuring out how you will be able to make rent or mortgage payments without a spouse’s salary, supporting your children, and more—and an attorney can seem like a big expense that you can manage without. However, before you decide to do it on your own instead of hiring an attorney, it’s a good idea to consider the potential implications and costs of not hiring one.
Specialized Legal Knowledge
If you’ve never been a family law attorney, or you’ve never been divorced, chances are you are not an expert on the laws surrounding the process. In this case, what you do not know can definitely hurt you, especially if your soon-to-be-former spouse has the benefit of an attorney. An attorney’s specialized knowledge of legal procedures and your rights can help you get a fair divorce. In addition, the laws are constantly changing, so if your divorce spans a significant timeframe, laws may even change in the midst of the proceedings. Having an attorney who knows and keeps up on these things can be tremendously beneficial.
Filing and Petitioning
Every legal process is filled with specific deadlines and filing requirements, and divorce is no exception. If you fail to turn in the right paperwork, filled out correctly, and by a very precise deadline, you may lose your entire case on a simple technicality. When you hire a divorce attorney, that person knows what paperwork must be filed, what petitions must be completed, how to fill it out, and all the deadlines. It is his or her business to remember so you can focus on getting your life together in the wake of such a monumental change.
A Negotiator on Your Side
Divorce is a give and take process, but without experience in negotiating for things like property division, spousal support, and child custody, you could find yourself getting the worst end of the deal in some or all of these areas. It’s best if you have someone on your side who has negotiated these deals before and understands what a fair deal looks like.
Going through a divorce is an extremely stressful time in your life, so it’s best if you have someone who can guide you through the process—filing the right paperwork, negotiating fair terms for the final settlement, and keeping you apprised of changes and intricacies in the law that can benefit your case. When you need an attorney on your side for a divorce case, contact the Law Offices of Torrence L Howell.
How do you think a family law attorney could most benefit you during your divorce?
