Sometimes getting a divorce is necessary for couples to leave an unhappy situation and get on with their lives; for others, it’s a heartbreaking ordeal. No matter who wants to split up and who doesn’t, the fact remains that no one can force a marriage to continue, and if either partner wants a divorce, they will get one.
Going through a divorce can be complicated, and one party might be tempted to save themselves some money and try to get a divorce without legal counsel through forms online. What sounds frugal on the surface can actually give way to a host of problems and complications that could’ve been avoided by hiring an attorney in the first place.
You Don’t Have the Same Knowledge Base
Representing yourself during a divorce is kind of like trying to be your own hairdresser. You might end up with an okay result, but it will be difficult and certainly could’ve been done better by a professional.
The court system is complex, and if you are opting for a do-it-yourself divorce, there’s a good chance you won’t know which points to argue. If your spouse has hired their own counsel, it will be even more difficult for you, as you won’t know what to object to.
The Paperwork is Specific
Even the simplest divorce requires specific documents to be filed at specific times. If you don’t abide by the guidelines and requirements set out by the court, you’re holding up the entire process and creating more work for the professionals. Some people choose to hire others who claim to be able to help them with their paperwork, but remember it’s illegal for a non-lawyer to give you any type of legal advice. Why would you want to pay for advice from someone prohibited to give it?
Do You Know Your Rights?
A do-it-yourself divorce might make you feel inclined to agree to whatever is on the table rather than making a stand to get what you want. If you don’t know what the rules and boundaries are, how do you know which ones you can push back on?
Many times people will agree in court when they don’t have legal counsel and later on realize that they were really taken advantage of. Only an attorney will know exactly how you should handle each and every topic that comes up.
Changes Down the Line are Hard
Because a do-it-yourself divorce most likely means you aren’t exactly sure how to handle each of the points brought up by the judge and your spouse, it also means that setting things up in a way that allows for future modification is that much harder. Not only will you be caught up in trying to figure out how to handle the present situation, but you’ll also need to know what things to set in place for the future. Again, an attorney is well-versed in these types of situations and is your best bet.
If you’re thinking about getting divorced in Texas and are shying away from obtaining legal counsel, give The Hollwarth Law Firm a call first. (903) 234-0711 We’re more than happy to discuss your options with you.