Are you about to go through a divorce?
You’re not alone. For every 1,000 Texas residents, around 3 will get divorced.
When you do, you’re forced to make a lot of uncomfortable choices regarding assets, finances, custody and child support. You also need to decide whether or not to hire an attorney.
In this article, we’ll tell you how to know if you should hire a lawyer for your divorce.
When You Should Hire a Dallas Divorce Attorney
1. Your Spouse Has an Attorney
If your ex already has an attorney, it’s essential that you get one, too.
Going into a court room without one is a huge task to take on, and most people would quite rightly be intimidated by going head to head with a seasoned professional.
The best way to go into divorce proceedings is with a divorce lawyer in your corner, who has your best interests in mind.
2. You Have Children
When you have children, it’s likely that you and your spouse will be fighting over custody during the divorce.
If this is the case, it’s absolutely essential that you have an attorney to make sure that the best outcome for your children is achieved.
They’ll protect your parental rights and help to negotiate an agreeable solution with your spouse, so both you and your children come out of the divorce with the best result possible.
3. There are Financial Issues
Assets and finances complicate a divorce, and it’s unlikely that neither party will be willing to give anything up.
That’s why you need an attorney to help you fight for what’s rightly yours. They’ll mediate a settlement that’s fair, so you don’t lose out.
4. You Want Things Done ASAP
A divorce can be a painful process, and those who have to go through it usually want it to be over and done with as quickly as possible.
An attorney has the knowledge and expertise to navigate the legal system efficiently, which means they won’t drag it out.
If you choose to go ahead without an attorney, you’re likely to find that things go on for longer than they have to. Issues with paperwork are the most common culprit, so it’s best to let a lawyer take care of it for you.
5. You’re Not Entirely Sure of the Legal Process
If you’re not well-versed in family law, you’ll most likely find yourself out of your depth representing yourself in a courtroom.
Self-represented litigants are expected to be well aware of the law as well as the documents and information required and the steps to be taken. If you’re not, you won’t make a good impression on the judge, and that could ruin your case.
If the judge doesn’t take kindly to you, you may come out of the divorce worse off. Hiring an attorney leaves less room for error in this respect.
6. You’re Stressed
A divorce is an incredibly stressful thing to go through, even without all of the legal tasks involved.
Jumping through the hoops of the legal system while coping with a life-changing separation from your spouse is much too daunting to do on your own. A Dallas divorce attorney can take care of all of the paperwork and legal proceedings, so you don’t have to worry about them.
That way, the stress is kept to a minimum.
7. Emotions are Running High
No matter who initiates a divorce, it’s an emotional time for both parties.
A huge amount of emotions are involved, which makes it impossible to be objective. Making decisions when you’re upset is a difficult task, and the choices we make in those moments aren’t always the right ones.
A lawyer will look at it without any of the emotions and with a clear head, so they can make the best possible decisions about your case.
A good divorce lawyer knows how to handle your emotions too. They can be empathetic and understanding while making sure that any feelings you may have don’t negatively impact your case.
8. You Need Help with the Paperwork
Any legal process comes with the burden of a huge amount of paperwork, and a divorce is no different.
The amount of confusing forms can be overwhelming, especially when you have to collect obscure information to fill them in.
The process is tedious, but it’s important that you stay on the ball and get everything done right. If you’re careless or make a mistake, it could jeopardize your case. An attorney will meticulously work through every form to make sure everything is perfect.
9. You Don’t Feel Safe
If you have any reason to feel as though you or your children or even your assets are in danger of being harmed or damaged by your spouse, it’s essential that you have a lawyer to keep you safe.
If necessary, they can get you a temporary restraining order/protective order. You may also need to file for custody of your children during this time.
An attorney will let you know what your rights are and do everything they can to make sure you feel safe during your divorce.
10. Communication Problems
Communication issues are among the most common causes for divorce.
They also make the process of going through a divorce itself much more difficult. It’s a time when you and your spouse might not want to talk to each other at all, but you have to do so in order to negotiate settlements.
With an attorney, it doesn’t have to be so hard.
They’ll act as a third party between the two of you, so communication goes as smoothly as possible.
Hire The Right Lawyer
After you decide that you need to hire a lawyer for your divorce, the next step is finding the right one.
You need an attorney who will understand your needs and represent you in a way that you’re happy with.
If you’d like us to help you through your divorce, contact us to arrange a consultation.
