If you wish to no longer remain in your marriage in Ann Arbor, you may find yourself eyeing a DIY divorce. As simple as it may seem, it is not always the best solution. If keeping your divorce costs down is a concern, you should consider hiring an attorney. DIY divorces may seem cheaper, but if you have special concerns, a lot of assets or other complicated issues involved, you might want to consider other options.
DIY divorces can cause a lot of problems with your separation that can haunt you for a long time after everything is final. To avoid the pitfalls of a DIY divorce, consider the following information.
Increased mistakes
When doing things yourself and without legal or expert guidance, you do not know when you are making mistakes. Mistakes during a divorce can cost you big. You could get less than your fair share of marital assets, alimony and child support awards. You could also lose important assets that you would normally get to keep.
Takes longer to finalize
DIY divorces are not usually any faster than going through the courts or mediation. If you make mistakes or forget to turn in the right documents on time, you lose valuable time. Keep in mind there is also the possibility that you do not know what steps to take to speed up the process so you can move on with your life, leaving you at the mercy of the courts.
If your spouse has an attorney, you could encounter a lot of complications. Chances are, your former partner is not willing to take chances on the outcome. His or her attorney is going to fight for everything possible for a client. If you think a DIY divorce document is going to derail him or her or properly represent your interests, you are mistaken. You stand to lose more because you are a great disadvantage. When faced with the possibility of divorce, you should do everything you can to protect your interests, even if it means hiring an attorney.