On average, more than two million people get married in the US every year but not all of these relationships will last. In fact, more than 780,000 American couples get divorced every year.
This can be a tough time for everyone involved both emotionally and practically. During a divorce, there are a lot of things to discuss, at a time when you may not want much contact with your ex. You have to discuss what happens to your finances, to your home and even to your children.
Movies often paint these conversations as angry involving cold-hearted lawyers. But it’s important to ask yourself do you need a Chicago family lawyer for a divorce?
If you’re struggling to decide whether or not to hire a divorce lawyer you need to consider the pros and cons. These will help you figure out what is right for your situation.
Well, you’re in the right place! Read on to find out everything you need to know to decide if you need to contact a divorce law firm:
Pro: Divorce Lawyers Can Simplify Your Divorce
If you and your ex are on bad terms then a lawyer will help you to get what you want without you having to deal with them. They will take care of the communication with your ex’s lawyers and they’ll be able to give you objective advice.
The breakdown of a marriage can be a very upsetting time and you might feel like you just want to give your ex what they want to get rid of them. But you may come to regret this further down the line. Or you may be so upset that you want to take your ex for everything they’ve got.
Having a professional on hand to discuss your options with will help you to achieve the best possible outcome. And they’ll be able to discuss this rationally.
If your ex wants to contest your divorce, this could mean you’re in for a complicated settlement. In this case, hiring a lawyer to represent you is an absolute must.
Or if your marriage has ended because of violence, you should also hire a lawyer. They will be able to get a restraining order against your ex in place.
Pro: They Know What They’re Talking About
For an experienced lawyer divorce law is a walk in the park. This is great if it’s something you’re not familiar with.
Knowing matrimonial law is vital for ensuring that you get the best deal out of your divorce. This determines what you’re entitled to ask your ex-partner for and outlines how property and finances can be split. So by talking to divorce attorneys, you could discover you have more options for your divorce than you realized.
90% of divorces are settled outside the courts but if your case does go to court you’ll need a lawyer on hand. A judge won’t be lenient if you choose to represent yourself against a lawyer in court. So give yourself the best chance with strong legal representation, such as this divorce lawyer.
But court representation isn’t the only thing divorce lawyers know about. Getting divorced also involves filling out and filing a lot of paperwork and doing this incorrectly could land you in hot water.
If deadlines and organization aren’t your thing, the answer to “do I need a lawyer for a divorce?” is yes!
Con: It Could Throw a Wrench in the Works
The ideal outcome of a divorce is an amicable relationship between you and your ex-spouse, especially if there are kids involved.
If you and your ex already don’t get on then a lawyer can help with this. But if you and your ex are on relatively good terms, hiring a lawyer could send them the wrong message.
Your ex may assume that hiring a lawyer means you want to fight them over the divorce settlement. Putting their defenses up like this may mean that negotiations take longer than necessary. You may even end up fighting over something that you would otherwise have agreed on.
Even if you are on relatively good terms with your ex you may want to hire a lawyer to put your agreements in writing. If this is the case, then try communicating with your ex about this before your lawyer contacts them. This will avoid upset or miscommunication further down the line.
You should also ensure that you and the lawyer you hire are on the same page about what you want out of your divorce. This will keep your divorce on track and ensure that you get the outcome you are looking for.
Con: It Could Cost You
Experienced divorce lawyers don’t come cheap, so it’s always worth considering your budget before you hire one.
Divorce lawyers will charge you for any service they provide. This can include drawing up contracts, sending correspondence and having meetings. Some may even charge you for short phone calls or replying to emails.
Think carefully about what the cost of a lawyer could be versus how much you could gain by hiring them. A good lawyer might be worth it if they can help you to secure a decent settlement or win you ownership of your house. But if you’re simply trying to decide who gets to keep the sofa, it might not be worth the money.
So Do You Need a Lawyer for a Divorce?
Hiring a lawyer isn’t a legal requirement for getting divorced. If you and your ex-partner are in agreement, you may be able to negotiate things fine on your own. Or you could hire a mediator to oversee your discussions.
Only you really know the answer to the question “do you need a lawyer for a divorce?” If your ex is threatening to take ownership of your assets or doesn’t want to cooperate with you, having a good lawyer by your side is vital. They will be able to help you get the best outcome for you.
And for more help staying on top of life’s legalities, keep scrolling.
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