why do i need a lawyer for divorce

Why Do You Need A Divorce Lawyer?

• Inform You of Your Rights. A divorce is a dissolution of a marriage and comes with many legal steps. ...
• Help You Stay Organized. When it comes to court cases, lots of documentation is needed. ...
• Take The Burden Off Your Shoulders. ...
• Help to Manage Emotions. ...
• Keep You Informed Throughout the Entire Process. ...

Full Answer

Why should I hire a divorce attorney?

By hiring an attorney, a person can avoid paperwork or other problems that could cause a delay and get the divorce completed as quickly as possible. Successfully Subscribed!

Do divorce lawyers know the law?

Divorce lawyers have a reputation for “stirring the pot.” They play on your emotions. They cause you and your spouse to fight. Then, they make a fortune while your personal life explodes like a mushroom cloud over a nuclear bomb. (At least that’s what everyone thinks.) The problem is, divorce lawyers know the law. You don’t.

Do I need a family law attorney to get a divorce?

Every state has different divorce requirements, so unless you're confident in your ability to interpret statutes and correctly complete legal paperwork, you might consult with a family law attorney in your area. It's a good idea to interview a few attorneys before you decide on one.

Do I need a lawyer for a contested divorce?

You may even have to present your cases in front of a judge. If you and your spouse are getting a contested divorce, you should hire a divorce lawyer. A lawyer will know what your rights are in your specific situation and can help you reach the best possible agreement with your spouse.

Make Divorce Decisions by Yourselves

In theory, at least, it's simple: It's usually best if you and your spouse can work out thorny issues together, perhaps with help from a neutral th...

Keep Divorce Lawyers from Fanning The Flames

When you're emotionally distraught or angry, turning all the details and hassle of a divorce over to a divorce lawyer may seem like a perfect solut...

How Collaborative Practice Works

Some family lawyers are trying a relatively new divorce method called "collaborative practice," in which the clients and lawyers agree that they wi...

When to Hire A Divorce Lawyer

It makes a lot of sense to hire a lawyer if there is a real problem with abuse - spousal, child, sexual or substance abuse. In these situations, it...

Why should I hire an attorney for divorce?

For example, if there is child custody and support issues, substantial income, debts, assets or future assets (an inheritance, etc.) then you should hire an attorney to protect your interests in a divorce.

What can an experienced attorney do during a divorce?

Expert Advice. Advertisement. An experienced attorney can help a person to make certain to receive everything that he or she deserves during a divorce. State laws do not necessarily support an even split of assets depending on the couple's situation.

How to reduce stress in divorce?

Reduce Stress. Divorce is a stressful time for everyone involved. Hiring an attorney to complete a divorce is one way to reduce the stress of the divorce. While the attorney will need to gather information from you, he or she will take care of almost everything else, allowing you more time to take care of yourself and your family.

Why do people make mistakes in divorce?

If you simply forget to address an issue such as medical or credit card debt or if you underestimate or overestimate the value of an asset, you can make a significant mistake in a divorce proceeding. Such a mistake may cause financial harm or will require future legal proceedings to correct. By hiring an attorney, you can rest assured that you case is being properly handled the first time and that you are avoiding costly mistakes that you might regret for the rest of your life.

What happens if you make a mistake in a lawsuit?

Such a mistake may cause financial harm or will require future legal proceedings to correct. By hiring an attorney, you can rest assured that you case is being properly handled the first time and that you are avoiding costly mistakes that you might regret for the rest of your life.

Can I file for divorce on my own?

If you are seeking a divorce, you may be tempted to file for divorce on your own using court provided documents or information from a book or website. While a do-it-yourself divorce may be acceptable in some situations, most people should consider hiring an attorney to represent their interests. Here are five reasons that a person should consider ...

Can a divorce decree be enforceable without an attorney?

By using an attorney, you can be certain that the legal documents presented to the court will accurately state your wishes and that the divorce decree will be free of errors or unclear language that may make parts of the agreement difficult or impossible to enforce.

What can a lawyer do for you?

A lawyer can make sure that your divorce settlement addresses every issue pertinent to your situation, both big and small. During a do-it-yourself divorce process, people often overlook issues like future college costs for children, tax issues, division of retirement assets, parenting plan contingencies, proper allocation of debts, and other concerns. A divorce lawyer will be able to identify and ensure that your divorce settlement addresses all the issues.

Can you do it yourself divorce?

Often, the " quickie" or cheap, do-it-yourself divorces you see advertised can result in a settlement agreement that you may not fully understand. If you've agreed to something unknowingly, divorce settlements and parenting plans can be difficult and expensive to modify after the divorce is final, and you'll end up having to hire a lawyer anyway.

What to do when you get divorced and a judge signs your judgment?

It's important to understand that when you agree to the terms of the divorce, and a judge signs your judgment, you will be bound by that agreement and court order.

What to talk about when you divorce your spouse?

When you and your spouse decide to divorce, if you can communicate, try to talk about each of your ideal outcomes for child custody, visitation, child support, property division, and alimony.

What to do if you fear your spouse will harm you?

If you fear that your spouse will harm you or your children, get help. You may need to move to a safe location without disclosing it to your spouse. If necessary, ask your attorney for a restraining order against your spouse, which will prevent the abuser from coming near you or contacting you.

What is collaborative divorce?

In collaborative practice, both sides agree to share information voluntarily and work towards a settlement. In order to use this process, your spouse will need to agree to a collaborative divorce and hire a collaborative lawyer as well.

What happens if you don't understand a divorce agreement?

If you think you entered into a bad deal or agreed to something you didn't understand, your only recourse will be to go back to court to try and change your final order. But undoing a divorce agreement is difficult and generally only allowed under very limited circumstances.

Is divorce pleasant?

Do yourself a favor, hire an attorney and level the playing field. Although no divorce is pleasant, some are outright unbearable, especially if the other party in your case is hiding assets, destroying property, wasting marital funds, or threatening you with physical or financial ruin for filing for divorce.

Do all family law attorneys have free services?

Although not all attorneys have the resources to provide free services, some may offer lower prices or payment plans. Finally, some family law courthouses offer clinics or volunteer legal staff who can point you to the right paperwork, review settlement agreements, and even assist in filling out paperwork.

Why do people need mediation in divorce?

Mediation during divorce proceedings has become common. Some of the benefits of this process include saving legal fees and avoiding engaging in court battles with a former spouse. More jurisdictions are now requiring individuals to try mediation to resolve their differences before they file a lawsuit.

What happens if you get divorced and cannot agree?

In a contested divorce, partners cannot agree on major issues to successfully end their marriage. The cases are common since there are many points couples need to resolve when trying to terminate their marriage. If it becomes clear that you and your partner cannot reach an agreement, you need to get professional legal services.

What is a divorce lawyer in Wasatch County?

Professional divorce lawyers in Wasatch County will ensure that the agreements meet the needs of every spouse and stand up to different legal challenges. The agreements outline the property rights for both parties. In case of a divorce, a legal professional can help you to review the agreement and ensure that your rights are protected.

Is it easy to get custody of a child?

Getting custody is not always easy. When determining who should get custody, some of the considerations include the financial position, employment, or other responsibilities that could take away time for taking care of children. With Heber divorce attorneys, the process of obtaining and keeping child custody will be much easier.

Can Heber family lawyers help with alimony?

If you are going through a divorce, Heber family lawyers can help you to navigate the process of settling on alimony. The legal professionals can represent you when negotiating the alimony amount or trying to modify an existing agreement.

1. Reduce Stress

Battling through a divorce is prone to induce plenty of stress on you and your family. If you have children, they probably need you now more than ever. You also need to take proper care of yourself to avoid emotional breakdowns.

2. Legal Experience

All divorce cases vary based on many factors, such as the income of both spouses, the number of children, and both spouses’ desires. You need legal expertise to determine what will work best for your case. Do not apply legal strategies that worked in someone else’s divorce in your case, as this may prove disastrous.

3. Property Sharing

One of the hardest things to bear about a divorce is splitting your amassed assets throughout your marriage. According to Laurence J.

4. Avoid Mistakes

Due to the high levels of stress caused by divorce proceedings and lack of legal expertise, you may make very crucial mistakes that can cost you both financially and legally. Some mistakes could even jeopardize your child custody and deny you the chance to raise your child as you so desire.

5. Seal a Binding Agreement

Explaining yourself to the court may be very hard. This may further lead to the signing of a contract far from what you wanted for your divorce. To avoid such inconvenience, you may find it beneficial to file your divorce through your lawyer since they will know how best to phrase the contract and get you precisely what you desire.

6. Hasten the Process

Like all court cases, divorce proceedings may take a very long time. Filing out the proper forms and following them up during the entire process can be very difficult if you are not acquitted with the court proceedings and processes.

The Steps, One by One

Do your research, ask around, and interview the right attorney for the job. Consultation appointments are usually complimentary, so take your time and find the right fit. Read reviews, talk to friends and colleagues you trust, and shop around. Make an appointment for a consultation. Go and take notes.

The Retainer

And when you decide that you need a lawyer, pay the retainer. The retainer is a lump sum the attorney requests up front in order to cover the initial expenses. A retainer is negotiable and fully refundable. Retainers vary based on individual lawyers, cities, counties, and often states.

Trust Yourself

Above and beyond all, trust that you’re making the right decision. It’s the right move in the direction you want to go, so even though you’re afraid, you’re going to be okay. It’s going to be okay. It’s this person’s job to look out for you.

The Dangers of Getting a Divorce Without a Lawyer

While handling your own case might seem like a great way to save time and money, unless you happen to be a divorce lawyer yourself, you probably have NO idea how the divorce system works. That’s a problem.

But My Divorce is Going to Be Amicable!

It’s easy to think that, if you want to divorce amicably, you don’t need a lawyer. But, even getting an amicable divorce is not nearly as easy as it may seem.

10 Questions to Figure Out Whether You Need a Divorce Lawyer

If you have children, you are going to need a parenting plan and a parenting schedule. You will have to determine who will have legal custody of your children.

So, Should YOU Get a Divorce Without a Lawyer?

No sane person wants to spend their life’s savings on a divorce lawyer. But, unless you have a fairly simple divorce, and it is totally amicable, “going it alone,” can end up costing you way more than anything you would have spent on a divorce lawyer.

Why is divorce contested?

Another reason a divorce may be contested is because one spouse wants to prove fault grounds for the divorce. Most divorces are no-fault; you don’t have to explain the reason for your divorce. But a fault divorce occurs when one spouse proves that the marriage fell apart because of the actions of the other spouse.

What to do if your spouse is resisting divorce?

Maybe one spouse is resisting divorce completely and refuses to discuss terms. A contested divorce involves negotiations between you and your spouse. You may even have to present your cases in front of a judge. If you and your spouse are getting a contested divorce, you should hire a divorce lawyer. A lawyer will know what your rights are in your ...

What to do if your spouse is proving fault?

If you or your spouse intends to prove fault grounds, you should get a lawyer. Your lawyer can help you support your claim with evidence if you are proving fault grounds. If your spouse wants to establish that the divorce is your fault, a lawyer can help you defend against their claim.

What to do if you don't have a good relationship with your spouse?

In addition, if you and your spouse do not have a good relationship and you think there is a possibility that an uncontested divorce can quickly develop into a series of difficult issues, it is a good idea to talk to an attorney.

Can my spouse hire an attorney?

Your spouse has hired an attorney. If your spouse hires an attorney, you should also seriously consider hiring an attorney to avoid any disadvantage. In addition, if you and your spouse do not have a good relationship and you think there is ...