Research enough, you can find just about anything you need for a DIY divorce online—from the advice to the necessary paperwork. However, as things in the Age of Technology usually go, not everything that you can DIY should be DIY. This is especially true where divorce is concerned. Most people attempt to do all the work for filing for divorce on their own in an effort to save money on lawyer expenses, but what they don't realize is that hiring a lawyer could actually save you money during your divorce. Here's a look at a few reasons why that is the case.
1. You could miss out on fair asset division between you and your spouse
One major thing that happens during a divorce is the legal division of shared property and assets. If you don't have a lawyer to help you through this grueling process, it is easy to get frustrated and end up with the shaft because you get less than your fair share. At a time when communication can be difficult and emotions high, you don't want to be left arguing over how to divvy up the property. If you have an attorney, they can help you make sure you get your part of the assets without having to fight for them.
2. You could end up losing time off of work to ensure everything is done properly
Filing for a divorce is not a simple and straightforward process. If you have no legal experience, you could spend literally days studying laws and statutes in your state, tracking down family law codes, and generally trying to understand all of the legal jargon involved. Hiring an attorney frees up your time so you can focus on your usual routine, like working to support yourself and pay your bills.
3. You could end up paying more than necessary for spousal or child support
Designations on who pays things like spousal and child support are determined through the divorce filing process. When you fill out the necessary filing paperwork on your own, there will be questions asked regarding your income, assets, and financial status. Answering these questions in the wrong way can have you paying more than you should if you are left having to make spousal support or child support payments. By hiring a family lawyer before you file, they will guide you through these tricky questions to ensure whatever support you are left paying is fair.