The Dangers Of A Do-it-Yourself Divorce

Filing for divorce can be expensive and many couples, in an effort to save on these costs, decide to represent themselves rather than hire an attorney. Unfortunately, even with a wealth of information available to couples about divorce, many struggle when attempting to represent themselves, as merely having access to knowledge doesn’t necessarily mean that a person will know how to apply in a particular case. Furthermore, the mistakes that a couple makes in trying to handle their own divorce can end up costing them more than if they had paid to have it handled by a professional right from the get-go.

The Paperwork is Complicated

There are a lot of reasons to hire an attorney before filing for divorce, one of which is the simple fact that the paperwork involved is not only extensive, but also extremely complicated. A failure to properly fill out a financial affidavit, for instance, which involves detailing all of a couple’s separate and marital assets can delay the resolution of a divorce by weeks or months. Besides being frustrating, these delays can also be expensive.

Divorce is Emotional

At the end of the day, divorce tends to be an emotional process that can take a significant toll on the parties involved. This can make it difficult to stay on top of all of the tasks that are required to finalize a divorce. An attorney, on the other hand, is unbiased and specifically trained to advise clients during these difficult times, thereby easing the burden that would otherwise have to be born alone. On their own, many couples end up making impulsive choices that are based on feeling rather than reason, which can have significant repercussions down the road.

Spouses Can be Uncooperative

An uncooperative spouse can be a big problem in divorce, leading to costly delays and growing frustration. It can be almost impossible for a person to obtain a fair settlement or custody agreement from a spouse who refuses to negotiate. An attorney can ensure that an uncooperative spouse provides all of the information that he or she is legally required to submit. Furthermore, if there are concerns that a spouse is hiding or wasting assets, an attorney is uniquely placed to discover these activities and bring them to the attention of a judge.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

Family law is a complex area of the law and attorneys who practice in this area spend years honing their skills, so that they can get the best results for their clients. No matter how good a person is at research, it simply isn’t comparable to the knowledge and experience that an attorney gains over years of practice. Hiring a legal representative is one of the most effective ways to navigate the divorce process without making any serious and costly errors. To learn more about how an experienced Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer could help with your own case, reach out to Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591, or send us an online message today.

Sources:

flcourts.org/content/download/403036/file/902b.pdf

leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html