A lot of people think that the divorce process is extraordinarily expensive. They’re worried about the assets that they’ll lose through the property division process, and they’re concerned about the costs associated with hiring an attorney to help them advocate for a favorable outcome. As a result, some people choose to represent themselves in their marriage dissolution. Although this may seem like an effective cost-saving measure at first, cutting corners here is a bad idea.
A DIY divorce can be riddled with issues. If you fail to recognize them and continue representing yourself in your marriage dissolution, then you could fall prey to several bad outcomes such as lost property, lost support and reduced time with your children. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the risks of handling your divorce on your own.
Sure, you may be able to find a lot of resources and templates online that leave you feeling like you have what’s needed to successfully navigate divorce on your own, but there are some significant risks associated with DIY divorce. This includes:
- Misunderstanding legal standards: Whether you intend to resolve your divorce through settlement negotiations or anticipate having to litigate your legal issues in court, you need a command of the legal standards in play. For example, the best interests of the child standard as it pertains to a custody dispute may seem easy to understand, but there are specific statutory considerations that have been interpreted by decades of case law that could have an impact on the outcome of your case. Not knowing these standards and how to argue them to your advantage could leave you on the losing end of your divorce.
- Missing deadlines: The law, and court, often pose deadlines on certain filings. If you miss those deadlines because you simply didn’t read them in the statute or the court’s order, then you might be deemed to have waived your right to be heard on those issues. Again, this could lead to a bad outcome.
- Being subjected to additional financial risks: Although pursuing a DIY divorce might seem like it’ll save you money, you put yourself at risk of facing long-term financial challenges. For example, if you improperly divide retirement assets during your marriage dissolution, then you could be subjected to significant taxation and penalties that quickly eat away at your assets. These outcomes can be avoided, though, through competent legal representation.
- Struggling to view your case objectively: It’s easy to get tangled up in the emotions associated with divorce. And if you represent yourself in your marriage dissolution, then it’s going to be difficult to view important legal decisions objectively. This means that your judgment could be clouded, causing you to make decisions that are emotionally charged and without the foresight needed to protect your future. That’s why many people who are seeking divorce benefit from having the outside perspective of an attorney.
Don’t set yourself up for a bad divorce outcome
There’s a lot that can go wrong during divorce. Although that can be stressful to think about, there are steps you can take to protect your interests. But you may not know what to do to protect your future if you’re unaccustomed to navigating the law. That’s why it’s best to surround yourself with the support and advocates needed to build compelling legal arguments.