Hiring a divorce attorney is a serious step. It can make the situation you’re in seem much more real, and may seem intimidating. Divorce can also have a lasting impact on your life, however, so having a lawyer can be important in more ways than one. Here are four reasons why you might need a divorce attorney more than you think you do.

1. Divorce attorneys can help keep things calm. Filling out the forms yourselves may not seem so hard, until you get into the nitty-gritty of negotiations. There is generally too much emotional involvement in a divorcing couple for both parties to see the situation clearly. Rather than allowing everything to get bogged down in arguing, allowing lawyers to handle the details helps everyone stay calm and focus on the task at hand.
2. A divorce attorney can make sure you’re being fairly treated. It’s easy to inadvertently shortchange yourself in a DIY divorce, partly because of the high emotions and also from lack of experience. You may not even realizing the agreement is unfair until it’s too late! Hiring an attorney enables you to get expert advice on what’s fair and what you can expect from the courts.
3. Having an attorney prevents common mistakes. It’s fairly common for people to make certain mistakes in their divorce agreements when filling out the forms themselves, such as not being specific enough. The risk can have even greater repercussions when children are involved, especially seen in this legal example. A family law attorney can make sure that everything is done correctly, saving you time, frustration, and possibly even money in the long run.
4. A divorce attorney can help protect the vulnerable. If there are children involved, or if you’ve suffered abuse, it’s especially important that you have someone to guide you and possibly make a strong case against your partner in court. Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, which means that you don’t have to prove wrongdoing in order to get a divorce. The exception is if you have a covenant marriage, where you may need to be able to prove your spouse guilty of substance abuse, domestic violence, adultery, or abandonment. Hiring an attorney also helps protect your children, if your child’s well-being hinges on making a strong case against your spouse having custody.

Hiring a divorce attorney may seem like an intimidating step, but once you’ve done so, the process will go much easier. For more information about how to protect yourself from mistakes during a divorce, or to meet with us about your case, contact the Simon Law Group, PLLC, today.