A lot of people who are headed toward divorce find themselves concerned about the costs and legalities associated with the process. As a result, they look for ways to cut corners and save money. While you might think that turning to online resources is a good way to navigate divorce on your own, doing so can actually be extraordinarily risky. Let’s take a closer look at why that is.
The risks of do-it-yourself divorce
You might feel like you can speed up the divorce process and save money along the way by navigating your divorce on your own, but there are several risks when doing so. This includes each of the following:
- You might miss red flags: There can be a lot of serious yet hidden issues that come up in the midst of divorce. If this is your first marriage dissolution or you otherwise don’t like to be completely entangled in the process, then you could miss red flags of these lurking problems. This can include signs of parental alienation and hidden assets. By having a legal professional on your side, you’ll have someone experienced in spotting and aggressively addressing these issues.
- You might misunderstand the law: Although a lot of the court’s analysis in your divorce will be broad, going at your divorce alone could lead to a misapplication to the law. This can be disservice to yourself, and one that leaves you at a significant disadvantage as you step into the next chapter of your life. To be successful in your divorce, you need a firm understanding of the law and how to appropriately apply it to the facts of your case.
- Your divorce could end up being more costly: Sure, you might save a few bucks on your divorce by foregoing legal services, but you could end up paying more in the long run once property division, alimony and child support issues are resolved. You may also end up spending more later to address a child custody modification if you don’t secure a proper custody order that protects your child’s best interests the first time around.
- You might place more stress upon yourself: Dealing with the end of your marriage is hard enough without piling on all the intricate legal nuances that come into play in the divorce process. But if you’re pursuing a divorce on your own, then you’ll have to tackle these issues on your own, forcing yourself to deal with the emotional and legal aspects of your case at the same time. This can be incredibly stressful, but it can also cause you to make rash legal decisions that are based on your emotional responses.
- You could face a power imbalance: Even if you think that you can navigate divorce on your own, there’s a good chance that your spouse doesn’t feel the same way. If they have an attorney on their side, then you might quickly find yourself outmatched and bullied. This may leave you feeling inclined to cave on issues that an attorney would otherwise help you avoid.
Don’t lose out on an opportunity to secure the divorce outcome that you want
There’s a lot that goes into building a successful divorce. You don’t want to lose out on that opportunity simply because you’re trying to save a few dollars in legal fees. At the very least, you should fully consider your options so that you can properly analyze your best course of action. By doing so, you’ll hopefully be able to make the fully informed decisions that are right for you and your future.