In an uncontested divorce, you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse agree on everything. It might sound like a fantasy, but sometimes people can resolve their differences. This eliminates the task of going to court and having a judge settle your disagreements. You still have to file the divorce paperwork and you may still need to go before the judge to approve the divorce. If you’re wondering if you still need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce, here are a few good reasons to hire one.
Your Lawyer Knows What You Are Entitled To
Maybe you’re trying to get out of the marriage quickly without a lot of strife, or maybe your spouse is hiding assets. You may be giving up income or property rights because of your emotional attachments. You may not need your lawyer to represent you, but a consultation with an attorney can ensure that you are operating within the law and getting what you deserve when your marriage is over.
Dividing Up Money Isn’t Easy
Do you and your spouse really agree about everything? Have you thought about spousal support? How long will spousal support last? Is your spouse really willing to give you alimony? Have you divided up debt in a fair manner and made sure you’ve addressed it legally? If you don’t have a lot of assets or had a short marriage, it might be easier to get out of a marriage. But when you’ve been together for a long time, you each may have very divisive ideas about who gets what.
Your Lawyer Can Catch Mistakes
A lot of couples who get divorced can easily divide normal assets. Each person takes their car, and the house is sold and split 50-50. Did you remember to think about IRAs, retirement accounts, or vacation property? When you filed the paperwork, was it created according to your agreement? Did the other person try to pull a fast one by leaving out something? You can’t go back and refile if you made an error, except in a few circumstances like a fraud. Mistakes can make the divorce drag on through the court system. A divorce lawyer, like a divorce lawyer, can prevent small errors from holding up the rest of your life.
You may not need a lot of help from a divorce lawyer in an uncontested divorce, but it is a good idea to have a family law attorney look over your documents. Contact a lawyer to complete your divorce to get through the process smoother while protecting your legal rights.
Thanks to Brandy Austin Law Firm for their insight into why a lawyer is important, even in an uncontested divorce.