We’ve all read countless articles about divorce. We probably have a number of friends who have gone through a divorce, and some of them might even have opted to forego hiring an attorney. After all, a divorce is not like the trials of old Salem, so saving money on a lawyer might seem like a pretty good idea.
Before making the decision to go it alone, there are many benefits that lawyers offer during a divorce. Here are five reasons for hiring a divorce attorney.
A voice of objectivity when we need one
Let’s be realistic, a marital breakup is an emotionally-charged time under the best of circumstances. It might not be a list of the emotions most of us go through during a divorce might include:
- Anger
- Depression
- Betrayal
- Anxiety
The wide range of emotions can lead to decisions about important life-altering issues that are made for revenge or simply to make things go away. An attorney offers an objective voice to help us make informed decisions in October that we will not be regretting when we look back at them six months later.
Knowledge of the law
A divorce attorney knows what laws apply to the many issues that may arise in a divorce. Some of the more complex legal issues include:
- Child custody and parenting time
- Child support and spousal support
- Division of assets acquired during the marriage
- Pension rights and taxation issues
The laws pertaining to these and other divorce issues change all of the time. While we might waste time arguing over a legal point based on law, an attorney would know if a 2015 amendment changed it.
Experience reaching binding settlements
Resolving the disputed issues that exist between divorcing parties takes a skilled negotiator. Attorneys help to bring an end to what might be long and drawn-out court proceedings by working to reach binding and enforceable settlements.
Familiarity with alternatives to court proceedings
Going to court takes time, but there are alternatives. Divorce mediation is just one of the alternative dispute resolution processes that might be available instead of going to court.
Paperwork, paperwork
Courts offer free forms for do-it-yourselfers who are not represented by a divorce attorney. The simple truth is that divorce issues are too complex to trust to pre-printed forms.
Would you like to speak with an attorney regarding your divorce case? Call the Law Offices of William Strachan at (714) 841-1931 or visit his website here.
