No one enters into their marriage with the vows “until divorce do we part,” but unfortunately we know all too well that a chunk of marriages in the United States will end in divorce. And while they’ll vary in cost based on location and complexity, one thing is certain – they’re always more expensive and more complicated than you estimate.
Even those who enter the process amicably, looking for an even split can find it is a time-consuming headache. Or worse, agreement turns into aggression and the “easy” divorce is now taking over your life.
That’s why we want to outline the three primary reasons you should consider hiring a divorce lawyer.
Protect Your Assets
One of the most common pitfalls in divorce proceedings is “well, my ex-spouse wouldn’t do that to me!” But divorce is an emotional time in someone’s life that, until they’ve gone through it, you have no idea how they will react to the situation.
The most cordial partners can find themselves locked in contentious battles around liquid cash or assets. There’s a common saying that “hurt people hurt people,” and we’ve seen that come to fruition during the hurt that comes with divorce.
This is particularly important if you have assets that were built separately. For example, maybe you owned your home outright before your marriage.
Some clients have built businesses from the ground up, and they want to protect their hard work so they can take care of themselves moving forward. Having an attorney to help you navigate the law ensures you retain what is rightfully yours.
Protect Your Kids
Divorce becomes exponentially more complicated when there are children involved. Custody battles can quickly turn fierce as each parent fights for time. In extreme cases, one of the parties may view obtaining full custody as a way of ‘punishing’ the other partner.
By having lawyers draw up binding agreements, you can preserve time with your children, and map out how future issues might be handled. For example, what if one former spouse gets a job in another state? Attorneys can help mitigate all of these “what ifs.”
And the longer these battles go on, the greater chance of emotional damage to your children in a time that is already filled with tension.
Additionally, by allowing the lawyers to communicate, you can help avoid a common trap among divorcing parents that can be detrimental to the kids – talking poorly about one another in front of, or even to, the children.
Protect Your Peace of Mind
The unknowns in life can sometimes cause us the most stress. By hiring a divorce lawyer, you can lessen some of that mental toll knowing you have an expert on your side with your best interests at heart.
The headaches of administrative responsibilities, fact finding, interpreting the law, and speaking with the other party will all fall to your attorney, giving you the freedom to process the emotions that come with such a difficult time.
It also allows you to be present for any children involved who are also having a hard time, rather than being in the weeds of legal jargon.
Cons of Going in Alone
Despite the benefits of hiring a divorce lawyer, some people still elect to go into the proceedings as their own representative. With even the best intentions, a lack of legal knowledge could greatly impact the outcome of the divorce.
For example, there is a lot of paperwork involved in dissolving a marriage. Incorrect filing or delays could potentially result in a negative outcome for you, whether that is financial, a delay in having it finalized, or otherwise!
Additionally, we can’t emphasize enough how often we’ve seen ex-spouses become vicious towards one another at the drop of a hat. With no attorney to help battle their sudden demands, you put yourself at risk of losing it all. Having someone in your corner to argue for your rights and wants if things turn tumultuous protects you in the long run.
Representation and Support you Need for your Michigan Divorce
At the end of the day, it’s always going to be safer for you to have a divorce attorney than not. So, if you find yourself in need of legal experts that also handle cases with compassion and understanding, reach out to our divorce and family law firm in Jackson today.
Our divorce attorneys are experienced and realize that it’s far more than just numbers on paper – it’s the reworking of a family and the start of something new in your life.
At Rappleye & Rappleye, P.C. we strive to make the process as quick and painless as possible so you can start your next chapter. Reach out to us today for your Free consultation.