You’re getting divorced, but you and your spouse are handling it amicably. There’s no fighting over who gets what, and you believe the uncontested divorce will move along as easily as possible.
So, do you still need an attorney?
It’s a common question. You and your spouse both agree on the divorce, and you expect the division of assets to be easy. So why put in the extra effort and hire an attorney?
The fact is, you need an attorney for even the most straightforward divorces—including an uncontested divorce. Even when a divorce seems simple and amicable, there are too many factors involved in the dissolution of a marriage. A layperson simply can’t know all the ins and outs and legal ramifications.
In this post, we’ll discuss a few of the top reasons you need an attorney for an uncontested divorce. We’ll also discuss how good legal counsel can help you avoid ongoing legal issues.
Let’s dive in.
What is an Uncontested Divorce?
In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree on the issues related to the divorce. Each state has specific legal requirements that married couples must meet to qualify for this type of divorce.
Despite the presence of these requirements, it’s usually still easier to get an uncontested divorce than a traditional divorce. When both spouses agree to end their marriage, there are generally fewer negotiations, court hearings, and back-and-forth paperwork.
Don’t let that fool you, though–these divorces are far from simple.
No matter how amicable your separation may be, there are still dozens of legal factors to consider in this type of divorce. And if you try to navigate these complex legal considerations on your own, you could find yourself facing financial or child support-related problems or divorce regrets down the road.
5 Reasons to Hire an Attorney During an Uncontested Divorce
Think you don’t need an attorney during your divorce? Here are five reasons to secure qualified legal counsel before doing anything else:
1. Dividing assets can be difficult
Even if you and your ex-partner agree on most everything, there may still be disagreements on how to divide assets like retirement accounts and stock portfolios. Divorce is an emotional time, and there are many factors that can complicate the process. An attorney can help you navigate these issues and come to a solution that works for everyone.
2. Divorce Proceedings Can Be Confusing
If you choose to file for divorce alone, you will be solely responsible for managing all of the necessary legal paperwork. Often, this is slower and less convenient than hiring an attorney. Additionally, you’re more likely to make preventable mistakes that can delay or derail your divorce.
Even if you spend time educating yourself on the legal matters around the divorce, that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get it all right. In a worst-case scenario, you could inadvertently sacrifice your rights or assets, or complicate things like alimony settlements or time sharing agreements.
A skilled divorce attorney, on the other hand, can inform your decisions and help you avoid roadblocks.
3. An amicable divorce can quickly turn ugly
What if your divorce starts amicably but gets nasty in the middle? This is incredibly common for couples who begin with an amicable divorce agreement. It’s common to let emotions or new discoveries (like infidelity or financial dishonesty) get in the way.
Even if you’re hoping for a clean break, you or your ex-spouse may end up feeling more emotional or volatile than anticipated. If this happens, having a skilled attorney on board will help you stay steady during the process and avoid making hasty decisions.
In every divorce, you must make sure your i’s are dotted and your t’s are crossed. Remember: it’s the people involved that make it contentious, not the attorneys.
4. Completing your own divorce can create issues down the road
Say you perform your own divorce, and everything looks fine at the time. What happens later? If your circumstances change, you could find yourself in trouble down the road.
For example, say you and your spouse go in together on business loans. If you agree that one of you will be responsible for paying them off, the fine print may leave you liable for the balances if your ex-spouse defaults on them down the road.
While hiring an attorney may seem like an unnecessary investment in an amicable divorce, it can save you time and stress down the road.
5. An attorney will get it done right the first time
Attorneys go to school for years and take on thousands in student loans for one important reason: to learn the law inside and out.
When you hire an attorney to help you navigate an amicable divorce, the attorney will handle all the details and ensure that your interests and those of your ex-spouse will be protected. This decreases the stress associated with your divorce and helps ensure you don’t run into issues down the road.
Divorce is already a very stressful time, and having an experienced divorce attorney on your side will allow you to hand the paperwork and legal considerations off to someone else while you focus on building your future.
No Regrets: MGM Law is Here for Your Uncontested Divorce
Amicable divorces seem simple, but they require a great deal of care, consideration, and focused legal expertise. People who attempt to DIY these divorces often end up regretting or paying for it down the road.
Don’t let yourself be one of those people.
If you’re facing an uncontested divorce, don’t face it alone. MGM Law is here to help you every step of the way. Our skilled Pensacola attorneys specialize in helping clients navigate divorces, and we will be here to protect your assets and best interests throughout.
Contact us today to learn more.
