Going through a divorce is often a difficult and emotional time. You may think that filing the paperwork on your own will save money and be less complicated. However, attempting to navigate the complex legal process without professional guidance can end up costing you far more in the long run.
There are a few key reasons to avoid trying to complete your divorce on your own.
Costly financial mistakes
Even small errors on your divorce paperwork can lead to problems dividing assets or determining spousal and child support. If you make any major mistakes, you may have to go back to court for modifications, resulting in additional filing fees and lost time. Not only that, but it is easier to miss important details when you do the job yourself, including legal determinations of property ownership, account updates and paperwork changes.
Stressful negotiations
Doing your own divorce also means handling sensitive negotiations with your former partner without expert mediation. This can quickly spiral into increased conflict over issues such as child custody. Research shows that mediation leads to better compliance with agreements and improved communication between divorcing parents. Attempting tense negotiations on your own often fails to bring the closure needed.
Handling your own divorce might seem like a cost savings, but the financial and emotional risks are significant. Ensuring a fair, equitable and enforceable settlement should be the priority. This can be difficult to achieve if you try to settle things yourselves since emotions can get in the way and you lack the necessary legal expertise to ensure that your agreements comply with court mandates.
