Most Floridians who are contemplating or have already begun a divorce try various methods of reducing their costs. Not hiring a lawyer is a method tried by many, but it is often not the best way to go. Even if the divorcing spouses have agreed on central issues such as alimony, child custody, child support, and division of assets, a lawyer can offer significant assistance.
A lawyer has a clear eye
Emotions run high, even in an uncontested divorce. These emotions can often block a person from seeing their case clearly. A lawyer will not be subject to these emotions and can view the case impartially. In addition, an experienced divorce attorney will bring to bear knowledge gained in other cases. Even though all divorces are different from one another, they often have certain aspects that may be very similar. For example, valuing the family home may have a powerful bearing on how other issues are resolved, and a knowledgeable lawyer can detect a mistake in the valuation of the home or other assets.
Drafting documents
A divorce settlement must be reduced to writing for approval by the court. Depending upon the issues in the case and the relative wealth of the divorcing spouses, drafting a marital termination agreement is a technical legal task that should not be attempted by a non-lawyer. In addition, other documents may be required to give effect to the terms of the settlement. A deed may be required to transfer ownership of the family home or other real estate. Stock transfers may be required if ownership of a family-owned corporation is involved.
A consultation with an attorney before filing court papers is always a good idea. In haste to reach an agreement, a person may forget an important issue, such as disposition of important family heirlooms, and an experienced attorney can spot such issues.