Do I need a divorce lawyer?

I am a divorce lawyer, so the expected answer would be yes. However, if all 4 points below is indicative of your situation, then you may not need a lawyer.

1. You and your spouse have come to an agreement on how everything will be divided. You know the saying, “The more, the merrier?” Well, that adage is not always true. In divorce cases, more often than not, leaving third parties out of the divorce makes for a more amicable divorce. We do not need any pot stirrers.

2. You and your spouse have little to no assets. When there is a home, retirement accounts, and debts to be split, the case starts getting a little bit tricky. As a divorce lawyer, I’ve learned a lot of couples are not financially transparent. I had a client who never knew her spouse had a retirement account! Can you imagine if she signed off on an agreement that stated he would keep the entire retirement account?

3. You and your spouse do not have children. Most people may find this surprising. The most contentious divorces are due to the fact that the parties cannot come to an agreement on issues regarding their children. An agreement regarding the children is more than just a visitation schedule and a child support amount. Who will get to make educational decisions for the children? Who will pay for health insurance? Who will get to decide if a child can have an invasive surgery? There are many nuances that must and should be figured out. No one wants to have to head back to court to resolve such matters that could have been dealt with in the beginning.

4. You are not an emotional wreck. Divorce is an undeniably difficult time for those involved. If you are going to sign off on an agreement, you have to be certain you can see clearly, and you have a rational state of mind.

^{DISCLAIMER: The following information found on www.nextwithlena.com is provided for general informational purposes only. It may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained on this website should be construed as legal advice or the creation of an attorney-client relationship. This information is not intended to be a substitute for legal representation by an attorney.}