No matter how amicable or difficult you expect your divorce process to be, there some reasons to hire a divorce attorney that apply even to the friendliest of soon-to-be exes. Consider the following:
Avoid Delays and Complications from Mistakes.
Completing forms incorrectly or completing the wrong forms at the courthouse can cause unnecessary delays in your divorce process. This may include wasting your time going to court before even finding out that documents were not done correctly or not filed with proper information – and then having to redo it and go back again. An attorney can guide you through this process and ensure that the information that the court needs at any specific stage along the way is done right; and you really only want to go through all the steps of a divorce one time.
Reduce Your Stress and Anxiety About the Process.
Divorce, no matter how amicable your relationship may be, can cause stress in a person’s life. From having to take time off work to go to court or spending hours gathering documents and preparing legal pleadings or other filings, having an experienced attorney on board will give you more time to breathe. One of the main jobs of your divorce attorney is to reduce your stress – to explain things to you clearly, to ensure you understand the process in and out of court, to communicate to you exactly what you need to be doing, to complete filings properly, to meet deadlines, to review documents you gather, to strategize with you based on the attorney’s experience in the courtroom, and to speak with other attorneys who may be on the case (such as your spouse’s attorney). Your attorney will be someone to turn to with questions as they arise so that you never feel in the dark. Hiring the right attorney will allow you to sleep soundly at night knowing that the future, post-divorce chapter of your life is in the hands of someone with experience walking down this path before.
You Want an Expert on Your Side and to be Your Advocate.
There is only so much that a person can Google or learn from friends who may have been through this process. Having the right attorney puts an expert in the field of family law right in your pocket. An attorney with experience in the courtrooms will know how different judges and court officials prefer their cases be handled and will know the temperaments of the courts and what specific judges will be looking for from the parties. That kind of knowledge is priceless and can only be learned by working on cases in the courtroom every week. Beyond hands-on experience and ‘insider’ courtroom information, an attorney can give you legal advice based on statutory law and caselaw to help you determine or predict how certain facts or issues may resolve in your case. The attorney has in-depth knowledge of your rights and obligations and can help you leave no stone unturned as you prepare for, litigate, and resolve your divorce case. They can step in to ensure that your interests are protected – whether in the courtroom or in negotiations with the other party.
Ultimately, whether you want or need an attorney will be your decision; but to avoid costly mistakes – whether emotional toll, lost time or even potential financial losses – call one of our attorneys to talk it through. We can assess your situation, help you identify potential issues and ultimately match you with an attorney who lines up with your goals and objectives.
