Far too many people make the mistake of thinking they can go through a divorce without a lawyer. They may feel like they agree with the spouse on how to split everything or believe their spouse will be fair during the divorce process, but it ends up being an incredibly stressful time and they may be blindsided by what happens in court. Instead, it is highly recommended to get a divorce lawyer to help with every step of the divorce.
Advice on How to Proceed
It can be challenging to know how to act and how to respond to things before the divorce is finalized. Is it ok to move out of the house? How might that impact the divorce? Who should have custody of the kids while the details are being worked out? Is it ok to keep them away from the spouse if there are potential issues? What happens if the spouse doesn’t show up for visitation? All of these questions and more can be answered by a divorce lawyer who will provide information tailored to the situation to help their client.
Know How to Get More from the Divorce
Many people who try to do a divorce without a lawyer later find out they could have gotten more if they’d had help. They might not have realized their spouse took more than what was fair and convinced them to give up things they might have wanted by saying they needed it or would get it in court. With a lawyer to help, the client may be able to get more from the divorce and ensure they have everything they need moving forward.
Help With Child Custody and Visitation
There’s a lot that needs to be figured out regarding the children of the marriage, and it can be incredibly confusing. Plus, this is often one of the most contentious parts of a divorce. It’s great when everyone agrees, but because both parents want as much time as possible with the children, it can be far harder than the spouses think to determine custody, visitation, and child support. A lawyer can help their client understand what typically happens as well as what’s most likely to happen in their situation.
Keep Up with Deadlines and Paperwork
Missing a deadline during a divorce could lead to a default judgment. Missing paperwork can mean the other spouse gets more or gets a better outcome from the divorce. It is imperative to keep up with everything during the divorce, but this can become confusing quickly as dates change or things are moved around to fit someone else’s schedule. A lawyer has experience with handling all of this and can help keep everything on track.
If you’re considering divorce or your spouse has filed, it’s important to start talking to a divorce lawyer right away. Even if it seems like the divorce is uncontested, there could be issues that need to be resolved. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how a divorce lawyer can help.