A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that their divorce can be finalized quickly. Although this is the case for some, for others, moving too quickly means that they put themselves at risk of being taken advantage of during the process and reaching an outcome that is detrimental to them in both the short- and the long-term. This is usually the case when individuals try to navigate a divorce on their own.
Why do people try to navigate divorce on their own?
There are several reasons why individuals think that it’s a good idea to pursue marriage dissolution on their own. Some think it will save them time and money, while others think that taking a DIY approach will give them more control over the process. However, these perceptions are often inaccurate, and there are usually other dangers lurking out there for those who choose to take this path toward divorce.
The risks of DIY divorce
Pursuing marriage dissolution on your own is dangerous. Here are just a few reasons why:
- You may not know how to identify hidden assets: You should be entitled to your half of the marital estate. But you can only achieve this outcome if you’ve included all assets in the property division process. If your spouse is hiding assets from you and you don’t realize it, you can lose out on a significant amount of wealth. An attorney who is experienced in this area of the law, though, will be able to help you analyze the marital estate to ensure that you’re protecting your interests.
- You might misunderstand the best interests analysis: If you and your spouse can’t agree on a custody arrangement, the court is ultimately going to decide what it should look like based on your child’s best interests. This is a comprehensive analysis that takes a number of factors into account. But if you don’t understand those factors, you may not understand how you can argue for a custody arrangement that you think is best for your kid. By acquiescing to what your spouse wants, you could be putting your relationship with your child at risk or even putting your child’s well-being on the line.
- You might gloss over important information: If you want to achieve the best outcome possible in your divorce, you need to know which information is important and which issues need to be addressed. An attorney who is well-versed in this area of the law can help you identify that key information and develop strategies to address critical issues in your marriage dissolution.
- DIY divorce can be more costly: Given that you may be short changed in the property division process if you try to go it alone, a DIY divorce can actually end up being more costly.
- A DIY approach can be more stressful: Divorce is an emotional process, and the tension involved can be magnified by the legal issues at stake. By having an attorney on your side, you create a buffer between you and your spouse, and your communications can be filtered through a legal lens. This can reduce conflict and lead to more expeditious resolution of your divorce.
Do you want to learn more about what an attorney can do for you?
If you’re heading toward divorce, you want to position yourself as strongly as possible. If you want to know how an attorney can help you do that and increase your chances of living the post-divorce life that you want, now is the time to think about reaching out to a legal team that you think is right for you.