What Are Some Problems With “Do-it-Yourself” Divorces?

 Posted on January 27, 2021 in Divorce

If you are like many people thinking about divorce, you probably have little to no experience dealing with the Illinois court system. However, it is important to remember that marriage is a legal union, and undoing that union can be a considerable legal undertaking. Do-it-yourself divorce may initially seem like a good idea. You may be worried about attorneys’ fees, or you may assume that hiring a lawyer will automatically make your situation more contentious. However, many people who decide to take on their divorce without legal assistance soon realize that DIY divorce often causes more problems than it solves. One-size-fits-all solutions are often extremely shortsighted, and they can lead to avoidable financial losses and needless stress.

Divorce Cases Change and Evolve Over Time

Many divorcing spouses still care about their soon-to-be ex and wish to minimize contention as much as possible during the divorce. They may assume that they do not need a lawyer to represent them during the divorce because they are still on good terms with their spouse. Unfortunately, as many divorced people can tell you, the process of ending a marriage can bring out the worst in some people. You are not guaranteed a problem-free divorce simply because the split began amicably. 

By hiring a divorce lawyer, you ensure that you have an advocate on your side should circumstances change. Your lawyer will protect your rights and guide you through the divorce process from beginning to end. If you are worried that hiring an attorney will create unnecessary tension between you and your spouse, it is important to hire an attorney who takes a cooperative approach to divorce cases rather than an aggressive approach. During a “collaborative divorce,” divorcing spouses and their attorneys work together instead of against each other in pursuit of a mutually-agreeable settlement.

DIY Divorce Leaves You Vulnerable to Misguided Settlements  

To resolve your divorce, you and your spouse may need to make decisions about the division of property and debt, child custody, child support, spousal maintenance, and several other key issues. Your attorney can help you negotiate these issues and find legal or financial avenues that you may have never considered. Taking the time to design a divorce settlement that is practical, detailed, and mutually agreed upon is a much better strategy than hurriedly agreeing to terms that you or your spouse will be unhappy with. By building a personalized divorce settlement based on your unique circumstances, you reduce the chances of needing to return to court to make post-decree modifications in the future.

Contact a DuPage County Divorce Lawyer

During your divorce, you will need to make major decisions that will impact the rest of your life. A Naperville divorce attorney from the Pesce Law Group, P.C. can help. To learn more about how our team can assist you during your divorce, call 630-352-2240 for a free, confidential consultation.

Source:

https://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3804