4 Important Reasons To Not DIY Divorce

You and your spouse have decided you’re ready to divorce, and you have come to an amicable agreement about everything you can think of – child support, child custody, division of property. It can be tempting to file all the divorce paperwork on your own, saving the money you would spend on an attorney. 

Before you do that, here are 4 important reasons to not get a do-it-yourself divorce:

Know Your Rights

All the anecdotal evidence in the world cannot trump truly knowing your legal rights when it comes to child custody, child support, alimony, and division of property and debts in a divorce. If you DIY your divorce, you may not receive the full amount to which you’re legally entitled, or you may end up paying more than you should. An experienced divorce attorney licensed in your state knows the ins and outs of the laws relating to divorce and child custody and provides valuable advice. [1]

Decrease Stress

Even the most uncomplicated of divorces can create stress. You’re dealing with at least one person moving out of your marital home, dividing up who owns and owes what, and figuring out your next steps in life. Having an attorney to guide you through the divorce process and keep tabs on what needs to be done when can take some of the pressure off you during an already chaotic time. [2]

Avoid Mistakes

No matter how diligent you are in checking over the details, there are still many mistakes that can be made during a DIY divorce. A lack of knowledge of the law is one of the most common reasons for mistakes in divorces not overseen by an attorney. Even though the court checks over the provisions in all divorces before they’re made final, it’s easy to misrepresent your wishes or an agreement between you and your spouse, meaning your official paperwork says something you didn’t intend it to. This could cause problems down the road if, for example, there is a disagreement about education for your children and your official parenting plan lays out terms different from the ones under which you’re operating. [3]

Consider the Future

When preparing for a divorce, it can be easy to become mired in putting out the fires – figuring out who keeps the house, where the children will live, and who pays the credit card bills – that planning for years down the road gets forgotten. Details such as splitting retirement accounts and who pays for the kids’ college tuition need to be addressed as well, as they can easily become fights down the road. [1]

Exceptional Divorce Representation in the Baltimore Metro Area

The Law Offices of Sandra Guzman-Salvado has guided dozens of clients through the intricacies of divorce and child custody. Contact us today to discuss your case and discover how we can help your unique situation.

6 Major Mistakes to Avoid in a Do-It-Yourself Divorce,” mediate.com.
5 Reasons That You Need a Divorce Attorney,” Huffington Post.
Thinking About a Do It Yourself Divorce? Don’t Do It!” Divorced Moms.