Divorce is a complicated process. While some couples can agree on their own how to split their belongings, debts, and custody of their children, others require the assistance of a family law attorney to navigate the legal system and come out victorious. If you are considering hiring a lawyer for your divorce but aren’t sure if it’s necessary, here are several reasons why an experienced divorce attorney may be right for you.
You need help with details that could make or break your case
While some people might think they know the ins and outs of every aspect of their divorce case, this isn’t always true. A family law attorney who specializes in such cases knows what aspects of your situation will be important when it’s time to fight for certain assets or child custody arrangements. The lawyer will be able to best represent you by ensuring the situation is presented in the most favorable light possible – one that reflects your desires and needs accurately.
You’re trying to keep things friendly, but your spouse has other plans
Sometimes, even when both sides are trying hard to keep things peaceful during the divorce process, it just isn’t possible. When this happens, you need a lawyer who can help assess your situation and protect your interests, whether they include division of assets or child custody. By knowing what options are available for handling certain issues, you can decide how to proceed when dealing with difficult situations.
You want control over how divorce proceeds from start to finish
It’s not unusual for some people to want to have control over every step of their divorce, especially when it comes to how the proceedings are handled. Unfortunately for some, having control isn’t possible because of a lack of experience with this area of law. While you can take charge in certain areas, such as being sure to save money by handling certain tasks yourself or taking on child custody, there are other matters that are best left up to a family law attorney who has years of experience and knows what will be needed at every stage.
You want expert representation when negotiating with your spouse
No matter what type of negotiation process you use during your divorce – mediation, collaborative law, or litigation – an experienced family law attorney can help ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible. This is especially true when you’re trying to negotiate a settlement that will be best for everyone involved. When an attorney represents you, they will be able to help you determine the best possible outcome for your case and work to ensure it is reached as soon as possible.
You want a divorce agreement that will be enforceable in court
At the end of most divorce proceedings, if both sides can’t reach an agreement on their own, a judge issues a court order that makes the terms of the settlement official. While this is typically what people want and need, ensuring that your settlement agreement will hold up in court takes years of experience with family law cases. An attorney who has worked on many divorce trials knows how judges view certain situations and can help create an enforceable document, so you don’t have to worry about further legal action later on.
If you are not sure how to separate your property and debts
If you are not sure how to separate your property and debts with your spouse, an attorney may be right for you. While some spouses can work together to develop a fair division of assets, others fight over every last penny. This is an especially important issue during the proceedings if one spouse makes considerably more money than the other or there are significant differences in value between certain items (for example, if one spouse received a family inheritance). The assistance of a lawyer can make sure that all aspects of this important aspect of divorce are considered fairly and appropriately.
If there is a significant difference in income between you and your spouse
If there is a significant difference in income between you and your spouse, hiring a lawyer can be especially important. In these situations, it is often difficult to agree on who should pay what bills and how much money each person should receive in alimony. A lawyer can help you negotiate these complications in your divorce.
Hiring a family law lawyer is the best way to ensure that your divorce ends as smoothly as possible. From protecting your rights and interests throughout negotiations with your spouse to knowing what documents will be needed for court, an experienced attorney can help ensure you have a stress-free experience.
