Should You Hire a Divorce Lawyer?
You’re married, but you’ve decided that divorce is the right option for you.
You’re also not sure what to do to get the best divorce outcomes. You want to work with a lawyer, but you’ve heard that you don’t even need one according to the law itself.
So, what’s your best course of action? Is hiring a divorce lawyer really worth its cost?
You’ve come to the right place for answers. This article will break down when it’s essential for you to hire a divorce lawyer, along with legal tips and tricks you need to know if you’re getting divorced.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Benefits of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer
It is always a difficult decision to make when you are considering whether or not to hire a divorce lawyer. On one hand, it can be costly to hire an attorney and you may feel like you can handle the divorce on your own.
On the other hand, there are many benefits to hiring a divorce lawyer that can make the process easier and less stressful. A divorce lawyer can help you understand the legal process, navigate the court system, and protect your rights.
If you are considering a divorce, it is important to speak with experienced local divorce attorneys to learn more about your legal rights and options.
Signs You Need a Divorce Lawyer
While the law does not require you to have a lawyer when filing for divorce, the benefits of hiring one are pretty clear as discussed above. So, when should you, indeed, hire a lawyer?
Watch out for these signs below:
Your Spouse Has Filed for a Divorce Through a Lawyer
If your spouse has already hired a lawyer, you may want to consider hiring one as well. This will help level the playing field and ensure that your rights are protected.
You’re Not That Familiar With Divorce Law
Divorce requires you to have some knowledge of matters like alimony, child custody, child support, and so on. If you’re not well-versed in these things, you could have a hard time coping with and getting the best results from the process.
So, it is best to have a reputable lawyer by your side to help you out.
Your Spouse Is Being Difficult
If your soon-to-be-ex is being difficult, a divorce lawyer will know what legal avenues to take to ensure that the other party cooperates.
The more they cooperate, the smoother the process will be for everyone involved.
You Have High-Value Assets
A divorce attorney will help you navigate the complicated legal process of splitting up your assets and help you protect your interests.
Without a divorce lawyer, you may end up losing out on some of your valuable assets.
You Have Children
If you have children, you will want to hire a divorce lawyer who is experienced in child custody cases. This will ensure that your kids’ best interests are represented in the divorce proceedings.
Cost of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer
Hiring a divorce lawyer meant paying about $250 per hour for their services. This is, however, just a baseline rate, and it can go up or down, depending on other issues involved in your case.
For example, if the divorce is contested, the other spouse is being uncooperative, or if the assets are too many and complex, then the hourly rate is going to increase accordingly.
Then again, even if the actual fees seem too much, it’s good to know that many lawyers are happy to reduce their usual charges and may even be happy to negotiate the price.
How to Choose a Divorce Lawyer
If you are considering hiring a divorce lawyer, note that not all of these attorneys are created equal. Hence, there are a few things you need to look into before you decide to hire someone.
First off, make sure you are both on the same page regarding the divorce. If you have children, it is especially important to be sure you are both in agreement about child custody and visitation schedules.
If you are not on good terms with your spouse, hiring a divorce lawyer can help you come to an agreement.
Also, consider the type of lawyer you want to hire. Do you want a lawyer who is aggressive or someone who is more collaborative? Consider your goals for the divorce and choose a lawyer who will help you achieve them.
Lastly, find a lawyer you get along with on a personal level. You don’t have to be best friends with them, but note that working with someone you’re at least comfortable with can have a positive impact on the results of your case.
In addition, your choice of a lawyer is going to impact the benefits you get for hiring one. And by choosing the right divorce lawyer, you can well justify your decision to work with such a professional.
Hire a Divorce Lawyer Today
Harsh as it may seem, bringing a lawyer on board for the divorce process is not a matter of choice. You assess the situation and then decide whether hiring one is the best thing to do.
If you know that your divorce is going to be toughie because all the objective signs are there, then don’t punish yourself by going to this battle alone.
Find yourself a good divorce lawyer whom you can work with to get the best divorce outcome.
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