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Divorces are extremely difficult times for all parties involved, even if the divorce itself is relatively amicable.  People occasionally ask, “Do I need an attorney to get divorced?”  While only you can answer that question for yourself, below are three things to think about when deciding whether to hire a divorce lawyer.

3 Reasons To Hire a Divorce Lawyer

1. You Don’t Know the Legal System. Your Divorce Lawyer Does.

How well you understand the legal system has little to do with intelligence and more to do with experience.  Even the most intelligent person will have a limited understanding of how the legal system works, but knowing how it works and what to do can make a huge difference in your case.  This is why having an attorney represent you in your divorce is critical.  Things that are second nature to a divorce attorney—such as what to file, when and how; how to serve the other party properly; how to conduct discovery and prepare for trial; what to ask the court for in your pleadings and at trial; what a judge is likely to do based on the facts at issue—are things that you won’t know how to do unless you have the training and experience.  Why put yourself at such a disadvantage for something so important?  Oftentimes, the short answer is that you shouldn’t. 

2. You Need An Attorney to Help you Understand Everything At Stake in Your Divorce.

divorce lawyerThere are more moving parts to your divorce than you might think.  You need an attorney who can help you understand what’s important and what’s not.  

Is there marital property to divide? If so, what portion is categorized as real property and what portion is categorized as personal property? What about retirement? Financial assets? Alimony? How does a court divide these assets and what pitfalls should you be wary of? 

Do you and your spouse have minor children? If so, there are multiple things to consider, such as custody, visitation, and child support, and this is assuming that there are no allegations of abuse or neglect. 

While you may be able to anticipate some of things that are at stake in your divorce without an attorney, the chances that you’ll catch everything and know what to do for each thing is small.  Having a divorce attorney who can help you understand what’s important will put you in a much better position.

3.You Need An Attorney to Advise You Along the Way.

In addition to helping you understand the legal system and what’s at stake in your divorce, an attorney can counsel you throughout your case on what your options are and whether those options are good ones or bad ones.  Your attorney can help you negotiate settlements, make offers and counteroffers, and bring a removed, third-party perspective to your case that you simply will not be able to provide for yourself.  This kind of insight and advice can be crucial in helping you navigate your case and deciding what your best options are. 

The lawyers at J.P. Coleman Law, LLC serve both the Baldwin and Mobile County areas.  Located in Robertsdale, AL, they are well-positioned to help you understand your family law needs and options. Call (251) 947-6247 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, and visit their website to learn more about their family law practice today.

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