The fact is, there is no requirement by law that you must hire a divorce attorney to handle your divorce. There are both pros and cons to having this representation; however it is ultimately a personal decision that each person must make for themselves. Use the following guide to determine if you should hire an attorney for your divorce proceedings.
There are many states that allow couples to order the forms themselves and then file them to the proper department. If you do not argue over your assets or children and are trying to save funds this is an appealing option. Additionally, there are divorce mediation services, such as ourselves, that will provide legal advice for a small fee without having to actually hire an divorce attorney.
However, there are certain circumstances when you should seriously consider hiring a divorce attorney. Some of these circumstances include if you have been married for a long period of time, if you have several assets that are owned by both parties or if you have tax issues that may be difficult to resolve. Many times the paperwork and circumstances surrounding these unagreeable situations can be confusing and require a knowledgeable divorce attorney to ensure that everything is taken care of properly.
Keep in mind if you opt to file for divorce by yourself you should understand that once it is complete you cannot go back and change things later on. There are no legal requirements for you to hire a divorce attorney, however if you do not understand the laws in your state or are hesitant to go at it alone, divorce mediation may be a perfect solution. Keep in mind there are many affordable divorce mediation services available and you should shop around prior to deciding on a certaindivorce attorney. Wheather you chosse divorce mediation of a divorce attorney, finding the service with your best interest in mind will help you have the peace of mind that everything will be handled sufficiently.