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How to Divorce Without a Lawyer

How to Divorce Without a Lawyer

Divorce can be an emotionally charged experience with long-term ramifications. Even if both partners agree on every detail of your case, legal representation will likely be necessary.

Experienced divorce lawyers offer invaluable emotional support during these trying times, and can help protect you from making irreparable mistakes that could cost more in the end. Furthermore, they may alert you to assets you could legally claim as part of any settlement.

1. Know Your Legal Rights

No matter whether or not you file for divorce, understanding your legal rights is vital to any relationship – from filing for one to discussing matters such as spousal support, child custody or property division with your partner. An experienced attorney can help protect your interests in court.

Most attorneys strive to get their clients the best outcome possible; however, your lawyer should also be honest with you about what’s realistic. If they inform you that settlement is unlikely and they advise preparing for trial instead, it might be worthwhile considering other alternatives.

Under New York State law, parties to a divorce must agree to mediation before filing for trial. An experienced mediator can help couples reach fair agreements about child custody, support payments and property division while the process usually costs significantly less than going straight into trial with attorneys billable hours spent preparing.

2. Know Your Options

As soon as you reveal that you’re considering divorce, friends and family may offer up well-meaning advice regarding its effects on you and your circumstances. Take each piece of advice with caution as it might not apply directly.

For instance, taking the wrong steps when filing divorce papers could delay your case or lead to you agreeing on an unfavorable settlement agreement that does not serve your best interests.

Once your divorce is final, knowing your options is important if you intend on appealing a court decision. An appeal involves complex legal standards and oral arguments; an attorney can assist in helping determine whether an appeal is right for you and can even help find another attorney to represent your interests if necessary. An excellent legal representative can make the entire process far less stressful for both yourself and your children.

3. Communicate With Your Lawyer

Your lawyer will become acquainted with all of the details surrounding your case; therefore it is essential to be open and honest when communicating them. Failing to disclose key facts can lengthen proceedings significantly. Furthermore, avoid name calling as this only serves to inflame emotions further and hinder productive dialogue about any relevant issues at hand.

Ask your potential divorce attorney how they plan on keeping you updated on the progress of your case. Many attorneys have many cases on their plate and may not always give yours the attention necessary. Choose an attorney who is honest about his or her current caseload and who can make reasonable commitments to keeping you up-to-date on proceedings.

A good divorce attorney will also have the skills needed to explain the legal aspects of your case in a way that makes sense for you, keeping you focused on achieving your objectives while helping negotiate for an acceptable result with your spouse.

4. Manage Your Emotions

Divorce can be an emotionally taxing experience. There may be numerous complex feelings accompanying its dissolution that may cause you distress; you could feel depressed, anxious and sad; however it’s essential that we recognize these are normal responses to events like this.

Cocharo says that divorce can be an emotional rollercoaster. There can be fears over not knowing how life will unfold next, financial worries and concerns about parenting arrangements to contend with as well as stress from constant fighting leading up to and during a split that can contribute to health problems.

As part of your divorce journey, it is common to feel angry towards your former partner. Perhaps they were cheating on you or betraying you; trying to exact revenge may end up hurting both of you more than them. Try channeling those negative emotions into something constructive such as exercising, writing or hitting a pillow with a roll of newspaper; having support from family and friends or a divorce support group may also help manage emotions more effectively.