Do I Need a Divorce Lawyer If We Agree on Everything?
If you are wondering if you need a divorce lawyer when you and your spouse already agree on everything, the short answer is both yes and no. Yes, you need a lawyer if you wish to receive legal advice in order to avoid some major pitfalls of divorce. No, you do not need a lawyer if you feel comfortable preparing and filing all necessary paperwork yourself.
You Probably Aren’t Including Everything For The Divorce
The majority of couples think they agree on everything but tend to be unaware of what “everything” means. Most separating spouses are not aware of what should or must be included in the divorce agreement. It simply isn’t enough to just say, “we’re splitting everything right down the middle.” You will need to include a detailed parenting schedule and specifics regarding child support, provisions regarding any life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and so on. These are only a few of the issues that could ultimately affect your family.
DeTorres&DeGeorge says this regarding divorce, “It is essential that you work with an experienced attorney who can help you create a divorce settlement agreement that is complete and covers all of the issues and agreements involved in your divorce.”
A Lawyer Will Properly Draft The Divorce Agreement
You will be able to create your own divorce agreement, but you must keep in mind that this agreement will govern your rights and obligations in the future. “One misplaced word in the agreement may result in major unintended consequences down the road. Divorce lawyers are trained in legal writing and analysis, and will make sure the agreement is drafted properly,” says AndrewFicherLaw.
If you plan on creating your own divorce agreement, then you should consider using a lawyer to review the agreement prior to signing it. If you can complete the paperwork and interpret the statuses well, you don’t “need” a lawyer, but if the reverse happens to be true, then you’ll want a lawyer on your side.
A Lawyer’s Advice Can Prevent You From Signing An Unfair Agreement
Many spouses will worry that a divorce lawyer will change their agreement. Typically, most lawyers are willing to accept their client’s decision to enter an agreement that does not reflect their best case scenario, as long as the lawyer is comfortable with the client’s understanding of the agreement. If the lawyer believes the agreement to be unfair, they will tell you, and you can decide how you’d like to proceed.
Attorney Arizona
There’s nothing better than the peace of mind you will have knowing you’ve protected your family at a time when they need it most. Let us help. Schedule a consultation or contact Ogborne Law, PLC of Arizona today.
