You have been married for years, and you are no longer satisfied with the relationship. You are ready to start over and move on with your life. However, you are not sure how to go about getting a divorce or whether you need an attorney for your situation.
You can get a divorce on your own, but you do need a lawyer if you are asking for custody of the children, are seeking support (alimony) from your spouse, or are trying to negotiate the division of assets and debts in the marriage. Moreover, you may need legal advice to help you prepare for the court process or to ensure that you are complying with all the rules and regulations in your state.
If you are in an uncontested divorce, then you do not need a lawyer to help you file the documents and go through the process. You can also use an online service to help you complete the paperwork. But you should be aware that filing and preparing all of these papers on your own can result in major mistakes, so it is best to consult with a qualified family law attorney if you do not feel comfortable with the process on your own.
In an uncontested divorce, both parties must agree on everything that is being asked for in the case. They should draft a settlement agreement that covers the financial matters, and an agreed parenting plan for child custody and visitation decisions. These agreements will have to be signed and filed in the proper court in the county where the marriage took place, before the divorce can be finalized. Recommended this site Washington DC accident lawyer .
The court will then issue a decree that states that the marriage is legally over. This will indicate the date of the divorce and any other terms that are being included in the decree, such as spousal or child support. In some states, you can even get a copy of your divorce decree from the court clerk’s office after you have finished the divorce.
A settlement agreement can be a good way to avoid costly and time-consuming disputes in the future. But you should always have a lawyer review these agreements before you sign them to make sure that they meet all of the legal requirements and don’t violate your rights.
An attorney can also help you determine if your spouse is hiding any assets or income from you, and whether they are hiding any money or property from you to prevent you from receiving the money or assets you deserve in a divorce. This is an especially important concern if your spouse has significant property or income, such as a pension or a retirement account or insurance coverage.
The process of getting a divorce can be difficult, stressful and expensive. A skilled lawyer will help you through the process and fight your case to your benefit. This will allow you to focus on your life and the needs of your children without worrying about how to pay for an attorney or whether you have to pay a large amount of money in order to have your divorce approved by the court.