Due to the complex nature of family law, it is generally not considered a good idea to represent yourself in a divorce. Even relatively minor legal mistakes can have serious consequences, and an untrained person handling their own case is likely to make some errors.
There is also the question of bias. You may not be looking at the situation clearly due to your emotional investment. A knowledgeable divorce attorney will give you unbiased, unvarnished truth about your odds of success in a trial and help you make the best choices for a favorable outcome.
Several filing deadlines apply when filing for divorce on one’s own. Before filing a petition, an individual must meet basic eligibility requirements, like residency requirements.
There are also deadlines related to filing or responding to motions within these proceedings. Failure to meet these time limits can negatively impact a case’s outcome.
It is often challenging to identify when certain filings or responses are due. A lack of understanding of how these proceedings work can result in an avoidable disadvantage.
One pivotal part of the divorce process is the discovery phase. During this, each party is required to exchange certain documents or records with the opposing side. This can be a big task, especially between spouses with substantial assets.
One problem is that certain documents are privileged, meaning that they do not have to be turned over. Most people lack the knowledge to understand whether the law allows them to withhold those documents.
This matter is further complicated by the consequences of wrongfully relying on privilege or withholding documents that should have been shared with the other side.
Most individuals have never gone through a divorce before, and they are unlikely to have a clear picture of a typical resolution. Without a skilled family law attorney to evaluate an offer, it is possible that a person may accept a deal that is far less favorable than it appears on the surface.
When someone represents themselves in a divorce, they must take care of all the matters that a lawyer would typically handle, including the numerous hearings that can take place throughout the divorce.
Most of the time, an attorney may appear on behalf of their client, leaving them able to go to work or meet other obligations. Anyone representing themselves in a divorce must plan on making multiple Court appearances along the way.
A lawyer’s skills and experience are also valuable tools when it comes to resolving these cases outside of the Courtroom. A settlement may be possible, but only with the additional support of legal counsel who has experience working out these complicated disputes.
Representing yourself in a divorce is not a good idea, even though you have the right to do so. Minor errors can quickly add up to a mistake that costs you dearly.
When you hire a lawyer to advocate on your behalf, you have the chance to get the best possible outcome in Court. Contact us today to discuss how a seasoned attorney may be able to help.
At the Colwell Law Group, our number one priority is always our clients. The members of our team have decades of combined experience in negotiating and trying family law cases. We are able to use our experience and our knowledge of the courts and New York family law to act as advocates for our clients. Our lawyers are dedicated to serving our clients’ best interests while also allowing them to feel heard and understood. We want to ensure that they trust us and understand why we do what we do. Colwell Law has numerous attorneys who are experienced in Family Law that can help put you at ease.
Colwell Law
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