More couples who are choosing to end their
marriage are turning to DIY divorce kits found online. These kits promise
speed, ease of use, and a lower cost, making them appealing to couples who just
want to get their divorce final so they can move forward.
However, these DIY divorces are not always the
best option as it’s easy to make mistakes and miss out on what you’re entitled
to legally. To help you understand why you should avoid trying to do your own
divorce, our divorce
attorney in Greenville, NC is outlining the key reasons to hire a
lawyer.
Less Stress and Work
If you and your spouse are doing your own
divorce, you will be responsible for preparing all the documentation, filing,
and, if necessary, appearing before a judge. During an already stressful,
difficult time, this can be an overwhelming challenge. By turning your divorce
over to an attorney, most of the time they can have you sign the necessary
paperwork and take care of the filing so you don’t ever have to see a
courtroom.
In cases where you and your partner may be
struggling with civility, having an attorney take care of the legal leg work
can allow you to avoid unpleasant interactions. Both parties can come to the
office separately, sign the paperwork, and move on, instead of trying to sit
down together to sort through complicated paperwork and decide who’s going to
take care of the filing.
Get a Clear Divorce Decree
Legal paperwork is complicated, and if two people
who are not experienced in the law are attempting to separate marital property
and draft a settlement, it’s easy to make mistakes. The court may misunderstand
what the couple wants, or the requests outlined may not align with state
divorce law. The final result may be at odds with what you both want, and
trying to get any adjustments made is impossible once it’s finalized.
Instead, working with an experienced divorce
lawyer can ensure that the agreement is clear, accurate, and not only aligned
with state law, it aligns with what both parties agree upon.
Protect Your Interests
In so many divorces, one or both parties just
want the process done. Often, the relationship has been a struggle for a long
time or the emotional pain involved just makes them want to move on. This means
that they may be signing away their rights and leaving what is rightfully
theirs behind, and once the divorce is final, they can’t go back and claim
property or assets.
In other cases, one or both parties may simply
not know what they are entitled to under their state’s divorce law. Most states
allow for what is called “equitable distribution of property,” and this means
that both parties’ situations and needs are factored into what they can receive
in the settlement. For example, if one partner worked for the entire time of
the marriage and was able to contribute to a retirement account while the other
partner stayed home with the kids, the retirement account may be divided
between both parties.
Having a divorce attorney who can provide an
objective view and an understanding of divorce law means you’ll have someone on
your side to look out for your best interests. This puts you in a better
position to move forward with a secure future.
DIY Divorces May Not Be Quick
One of the most common reasons couples choose a
DIY divorce is to speed up the process and save money. However, mistakes in the
paperwork or filing errors could turn a quick and easy task into a drawn out,
expensive legal mess. Even if you and your spouse want a simple divorce where
both parties go their separate ways and don’t have to worry about dividing
property, a divorce lawyer can draw up the paperwork, have parties sign it, and
file on their behalf, making sure everything is correct and accurate. Not only
will it be just as quick in most cases, you’ll have the peace of mind that it’s
done correctly.
Learn More from Our Greenville, NC Divorce Lawyers
We have a variety of articles and resources to help
explain the divorce process and avoid making mistakes that could harm you
later. To learn more, visit our website: https://theironslawfirm.com/
