Divorce is very likely the most complex legal matter that people attempt to handle on their own. What people who attempt a “do-it-yourself” divorce quickly learn, however, is that divorce is not easy. In addition to the many complex legal questions, like child support, marital property division, alimony and child custody concerns, emotions have a way of clouding people’s judgment.
Colorado couples considering divorce might enjoy the following.The number one motivating factor behind people attempting to handle divorce without the aide of an experienced family law attorney is the belief that doing it on their own will save them money. While this may be true in some cases, it can actually cost much more. For one thing, individuals may forego assets that they would otherwise be legally entitled. In addition, the money saved up front is often consumed down the road trying to fix things.
Another reason that many people choose to file for divorce on their own is the belief that hiring an attorney or attorneys will simply make an already difficult time in their life even more difficult. In reality, however, trying to manage divorce without the aide of an attorney can be incredibly stressful in itself. In addition to being time consuming and complex, if the dialogue between the couple does break down there is no one to act as an intermediary.
In a divorce proceeding, a family law attorney is more than just someone who fills out the paperwork and stands up in court on their client’s behalf. A divorce attorney also acts as an advisor to their client concerning incredibly important divorce legal issues and assists them throughout the process to ensure that their client gets everything to which they are entitled. Further, a divorce attorney ensures that the assets are divided in the most economic and financially beneficial manner.
Foregoing legal assistance in a divorce may seem like a good idea at the time, but the long- term emotional and financial costs rarely support this contention, no matter how good the intentions.
Colorado Springs Gazette, “Do-it-yourself divorce could be cause for regret,” Linda Leitz, March 10, 2013