Most people will tell you that you shouldn’t get involved in a divorce without a good lawyer – or else you might risk losing it all. However, there are two types of divorce and they can tell you whether you can handle it alone or not.
For example, if you and your former partner have several issues that may be solved in court, such as issues on child custody and visitation, then you should definitely get a lawyer and have them obtain you what you want!
On the other hand, if you and your spouse are in complete agreement on all possible issues, then you may negotiate and settle a divorce without a lawyer’s help. Here’s more information to help you determine what’s better for your case!
Handling Divorce on Your Own
As mentioned above, you will be able to get through a divorce on your own if both you and your spouse agree on all the terms you set – support, custody, division of property and so on.
If you are satisfied with the results that will soon be in place then there’s nothing you should worry about. On the other hand, you should also make sure that you are well-informed when it comes to the debts and assets of the family.
In short, if you believe that the overall settlement is reasonable and fair for you – as well as for your children and spouse – then you may not get a lawyer to look into things. However, this is not everything that you have to take into consideration when it comes to a divorce!
Time, Patience, and Temperament
Now, in case you don’t settle with your spouse, keep in mind that you will most likely end up in court. This is where the fun begins – for lawyers at least, because they are experienced and know exactly what to do.
If you choose to represent yourself in court, you will have to research the law of your state, follow through which court appearances and filings, as well as gather the documentation that you need for a divorce.
On top of that, you will also have to remain calm and keep your temperament in check, whether you and your spouse agree with the terms or, in extreme cases, completely disagree. It goes without saying that a divorce is a rollercoaster of emotions.
Saving Money and Mediation
Naturally, most people consider divorcing without a lawyer mainly to save money. They usually don’t consider that they’ll have to spend a lot of time dealing with what a divorce lawyer has to deal with.
In the end, the time they waste trying to be their own lawyers would’ve paid for a real one.
Still, there’s a way through which one can reach a divorce settlement without a lawyer or a case in court – namely, mediation. A divorce mediator will help you and your spouse deal with your issues and make the two of you reach an agreement.
Obviously, mediation – when possible – saves you money when compared to a lawyer.
The Bottom Line
Overall, you can handle your divorce without a lawyer if you don’t run into any issues or disagreements. A single thing that the two of you don’t agree on can turn into a lawsuit that will most probably require a lawyer.
On top of that, when it comes to a divorce, remember that you don’t know a lot of aspects about it – and this lack of knowledge and information will probably make the divorce unfavorable for you!