Nearly one third of all marriages end in divorce. That’s down from the nearly half of all marriages that ended in divorce in the 70s and 80s. However, that statistic won’t make your divorce any easier if you are faced with one. You might think that you can settle all the details—property division, child custody, finances—without a lawyer, especially if you and your spouse are both on board with a divorce. But, here are five reasons you’d be better off hiring family law attorneys.
You Can Save Money
Many people think that they can save money by not hiring a divorce lawyer. After all, the average divorce in the United States costs around $15,000. However, you could actually agree to more costly divorce terms if you don’t have a family attorney to help you make decisions. You don’t want to end up paying too much in child support, or you don’t want to have to rely on a verbal agreement to get child support which you may never be able to collect. A lawyer will make sure your financial agreement is a fair and legal one.
You Will Need Advice
Typically, people going through a divorce experience a range of emotions. You will be more likely to rush to a decision if you don’t have a lawyer when you’re emotional—you probably just want to get the proceedings over with. However, family law attorneys can advise you on the repercussions of some of those rash decisions. They’ve seen it all before and have experience that you probably don’t have. Let them share their knowledge with you so that you can get the fairest outcome possible.
Family Law Attorneys Have Courtroom Experience
Unfortunately, divorces can be messy. You and your spouse might not agree on everything, which can range from home ownership to child custody. That means you could end up in court. If that happens, you will need a lawyer with courtroom experience to fight for you.
Lawyers Have Consultants
Another unfortunate reality of divorce is that you may need someone to speak on your behalf or give expert testimony. Family lawyers have consultants at their disposal, including doctors, appraisers, bankers, or psychologists. Professionals such as these can lend credibility to your case.
You May Need a Mediator
Even if you and your spouse agree on every aspect of your divorce, you may need a mediator. A mediator will give you legal ground to stand on if someone changes their mind about something down the road. A consultation with family law attorneys can help you determine if mediation is the best route for your divorce. Mediation can also be a good option for couples who can communicate easily during the divorce and who want to save money and time. It’s also less stressful than courtroom litigation.
A divorce can be difficult on any family. Even if you think you and your spouse agree on all the terms, you never know what may change or what may come up as you attempt to go your separate ways. Hiring a family attorney can ensure that you won’t be met with any unfair changes or surprises.
