It's common to "DIY" or "Do-It-Yourself" for any kind of project or task that you are working on. When it comes to filing for divorce, the thought of representing yourself can be appealing - it's cheaper and seems like a pretty straightforward process. Don't be fooled though, representing yourself in a divorce can lead to several costly mistakes.
Not Understanding California Divorce Laws
Attempting to go through a divorce without experienced legal counsel can leave you feeling overwhelmed, confused, and frustrated. This is very common as California's divorce laws can be difficult to understand. For example, do you know how different types of custody scenarios may impact child support? If not, you may want to reconsider hiring a divorce lawyer.
Messing Up Paperwork
During the divorce process, it's crucial that you file all paperwork correctly and on time. If you are the one filing for divorce, which is known as the petitioner, you need to be certain that you file everything correctly while stating exactly what you want the outcome of the divorce to be. Unfortunately, even one vague sentence could be used as a loophole for your spouse to exploit.
If you are the spouse receiving news of the divorce, known as the respondent, you may want to hire a San Bernardino divorce lawyer as soon as possible. There are strict time limits for responding to the Petition for divorce. If you don't agree with someone that your spouse included in the divorce papers, then you will especially want to make sure you respond in a timely manner. If you don't then you lose your right to contest the terms of the divorce.
Little Time to Process the Emotional Implications of Divorce
Getting a divorce can be one of the most emotionally challenging processes that someone can go through. There are multiple things to take care of, including managing your finances, helping your children cope, and other divorce-related legal problems. When you take on the burden of representing yourself on top of everything else, it leaves little time for you to process your emotions.
A divorce attorney can help take away some of that stress by handling all of the legal matters for you. This gives you the opportunity to focus on the most important thing - you and your needs. You have the freedom to take care of any other responsibilities that need to be taken care of during the divorce process.
Need Help With Your Divorce? Law Office of Michael R. Young is Here For You
While you have the option to represent yourself in a divorce, remember it may not be the best option. If you are ready to hire a skilled professional, our attorneys at Law Office of Michael R. Young can help you no matter what kind of situation you are in.
To request a consultation, call our San Bernardino divorce attorney at (909) 315-4588.