In the United States, nearly half of all marriages end in divorce or separation.
If you and your partner plan to divorce, you may be wondering, “Will I need to hire a lawyer?” The answer depends on your specific situation and the laws of the state where you live.
You might not even need to hire an attorney if you and your partner can work out the details of your divorce peacefully and without complications.
However, in most cases, the difficulty of your financial arrangements, the kind of your relationship, or the makeup of your family will prompt you to retain the services of a lawyer to safeguard your interests.
Here are seven reasons why you should hire a divorce attorney:
1. Better Objectivity
Divorces involve many emotions, and when things get heated, it may be hard to be objective. A divorce attorney acts as an objective third party who sees through the emotions and helps you get what you deserve.
Although you may want a quick settlement to have the painful experience over quickly, your attorney will counsel you on the best way to handle the case to ensure the case doesn’t end in a regrettable outcome.
The stress of a divorce may also impair your judgment. When you hire a lawyer, you can take a step back and let them handle the case as you find a way to cope with the stress.
Additionally, stepping back from the case may help you and your partner settle matters more amicably, as you can choose to communicate through your lawyers.
2. Experience
The best lawyer has handled many divorce cases and knows which options are available for you and how you can make the most of your case. Whether you need help dividing marital property, securing child support, or negotiating for spousal support, a divorce attorney will know which course of action is best to help you achieve your goal.
If you go to court, your spouse’s lawyer may try to one-up you to get your spouse a better deal. A lawyer has dealt with other lawyers in court. Therefore, if you have a lawyer representing you, they can deal effectively with the opposing side to ensure you get a fair deal.
3. Avoiding Mistakes
Some divorce terms are binding, so you should avoid making mistakes that may be hard to undo. Some mistakes may also lead to future litigation.
A lawyer will handle all the details of your case, prepare and file all necessary case documents and pleadings, and remind you of your court dates to ensure you don’t miss a thing. They will also assess your needs to ensure the settlement agreement covers everything you need.
4. Understanding Legal Terms
The court assumes that anyone who chooses to represent themselves knows all the laws and legal statutes involved in divorce proceedings.
Thus, you may be taking on a huge burden by choosing to be your own legal representative. You will have to spend hours studying the law to have adequate knowledge to win the case.
If you have never been to court before, you may find all the legal jargon confusing. Lack of experience may also make it hard for you to understand some of the divorce agreement terms.
A divorce attorney can demystify any legal terms you may encounter and explain the divorce terms to ensure they are favorable.
5. Better Negotiation
Negotiations can be tough in a divorce, especially if you and your ex did not separate amicably. If you and your ex do not see eye-to-eye, it would be wise to leave your lawyer to handle any negotiations you need to have.
A divorce attorney has good negotiation skills and thus may help you and your ex come to an agreement without having to go to court.
Additionally, a lawyer will negotiate hard to ensure all the divorce settlement terms work out in your favor. A family lawyer can help you resolve sensitive matters like child custody agreements without resorting to arguments with your ex.
6. Better Preparation
Any case that goes to court involves a lot of preparation. There will be a lot of documents that the court will ask you to prepare, and you may find yourself working on a deadline. Some documents you may need to present in court include:
• Records of your assets and liability
• Proof of paternity
• A prenuptial agreement, if you have one
• Relevant financial documents
• A parenting schedule
• Records of your bills
• Childcare expenses
An attorney already knows all the required paperwork in a divorce case. Therefore, they will help you sort through all necessary documentation on time, allowing you to handle other matters in your life.
Besides documentation, an attorney will inform you what to expect in court.
They will work out a strategy with you to ensure you get the best outcome and set up a flexible schedule for meetings to ensure you can go on with your life as you handle the divorce.
Additionally, an attorney will coach you on answering any questions your spouse’s lawyer may ask you in court and counsel you on the costs and benefits of different approaches to the divorce.
7. Additional Consultants
If you and your spouse had amassed a lot of wealth during the marriage, dividing the property may be tricky. Find a lawyer with different experts at their disposal that they may bring in to assess your property. Working with experts will ensure the property division process goes smoothly and quickly.
Additionally, experts may advise you on how best to divide your marital property beneficially. If you have a hard time finding a lawyer, searching the words “lawyer near me” will reveal nearby lawyers you can consult on your case.
Hire a Lawyer for Your Divorce Case
Irrespective of whether your spouse has sought legal advice, you need to consult with and hire a lawyer. There’s simply too much at stake for you to handle everything on your own.
We hope you’ve learned something helpful from this article. Check our website for more informative blog posts.
