DIY Divorce: Is it a good idea?
A Do-It-Yourself Divorce (DIY Divorce) May Be Costly for Your Future
Although it may seem like a cost-effective alternative, attempting to get a divorce without having a divorce attorney can seriously harm you in the long run. Divorce can be expensive, but without a knowledgeable divorce attorney on your side, you could risk a secure future. When married couples divorce, they often look for ways to save money. One of the ways they think they can save money is to handle the divorce proceedings independently. The involved parties choose to file all the divorce paperwork themselves and appear in court alone, legally representing themselves. These divorces are called Do-it-Yourself or DIY divorces. DIY divorces can lead to unfair divorce settlements, unrealistic decisions, and an uncertain financial future.
You Do Not Have the Same Working Knowledge as a Divorce Lawyer
Opting for a do-it-yourself divorce (DIY divorce) has many fallbacks and risks associated with this option. One of the most significant drawbacks is that you do not have the same legal knowledge as a divorce lawyer. Divorce lawyers should be well versed in the State of Minnesota divorce laws and statutes. They work full-time to be knowledgeable in court processes and how to use them to their advantage. Every divorce case is unique, and even if you have been through a divorce in the past, the same rules will not apply to your divorce. Therefore, it is crucial to have an educated and informed divorce attorney on your side.
Paperwork, Filing Timelines and Avoiding Errors
There is a lot of paperwork involved in any divorce case. There are timelines and deadlines to follow for each motion that must be filed. It can be daunting to figure out when each motion is due and how exactly to file it. An experienced and competent divorce attorney knows all of the Minnesota State laws regarding divorce paperwork and will be sure to get your motions filed and into the court in time for the required deadlines. Any mistakes or oversights regarding paperwork can be detrimental to your divorce case. In addition to the mounds of paperwork required by the court, certain papers must be shared with your soon-to-be ex-spouse within a certain length. It is also likely that the court will request additional paperwork to support your petition or counter your spouse’s petition. The stress of a divorce is more than enough to deal with without learning when paperwork needs to be filed, where to file it and what type of paperwork needs to be taken care of. Let an experienced St. Cloud, MN divorce attorney take care of the administrative tasks associated with your divorce.
A Do-It-Yourself Divorce Could Still Cost You Attorney Fees
Typically when someone chooses to represent themselves in a divorce proceeding, it is mainly due to financial reasons. That does not always mean you are off the hook for legal fees, though. You could end up paying your spouse’s attorney’s fees, even if you choose not to have your divorce attorney. Without your own divorce lawyer, your divorce proceedings could be slowed down a great deal, and your spouse could incur more legal fees because of it. If that is the case, they could request that you pay for the extra expenses because your lack of legal knowledge caused them to have additional legal fees.
Unfair Divorce, Unrealistic Decisions, and Uncertain Financial Future Are All a Possibility
Divorce attorneys are experts in the highly complex process of the dissolution of a marriage. Divorce proceedings are complicated, as are any family law proceedings. It would be best if you had a competent attorney who understands Minnesota divorce laws. There is much more to a divorce than dividing your money in half. If you have children, there is child custody to consider. You must also consider which type of child custody best suits your case. If you have considerable debt, there is a division of those financial obligations to take into account. If you have many valuable assets, those financial considerations also need to be dealt with fairly. The right legal divorce expert can make all the difference in the type of settlement that occurs. If your divorce concludes with an unfair settlement because of your lack of legal knowledge, you could be stuck with it for life. Don’t risk an unfair divorce, an unrealistic decision, or an uncertain financial future; contact contact Kay Snyder Experienced St. Cloud, MN divorce attorney, to be sure your rights are protected.