When faced with the prospect of ending a marriage, you may be tempted to attempt a do-it-yourself divorce. After all, you know your spouse and yourself better than anyone and should have no trouble ironing out your differences, right? However, appearances can be deceiving. Divorce can be far more complicated than it seems on the surface. If divorce is in your future, consider the following reasons to hire a divorce lawyer instead of going it alone.
Property Division Will Happen
If you have been married for any length of time, it’s likely you and your spouse have acquired some property. It’s also entirely possible that you both brought property into your marriage. Either way, your assets will be divided during a divorce.
This is one area where a do-it-yourself divorce may be the most destructive. Alabama is not a community property state. Instead of a 50/50 split, Alabama divorces use a system that requires careful assessment.
To make sure your property division runs smoothly, contact a lawyer with divorce experience.
Inability to Properly Defend Yourself
During a divorce, one spouse may make allegations against the other. If the charges are true, you need a proper defense of them. But even if the allegations are false, you need to know how to push back to protect your reputation and more.
Divorce laws are complex. Understanding the implications and consequences may not be possible without an in-depth knowledge of current divorce laws.
Emotional Decision-making
Ending a marriage may be one of the most emotionally turbulent times in a person’s life. It’s easy to let feelings get in the way of logic. However, the consequences for decisions made during a divorce proceeding can be long-lasting and far-reaching.
Divorce is not a job for a weekend warrior or an armchair quarterback. Having a lawyer by your side may prevent you from making mistakes based on emotions.
Lack of Knowledge of Alabama Divorce Laws
Title 30 of the Alabama Code is titled “Marital and Domestic Relations.” This title includes nine major chapters consisting of hundreds of individual sections. It’s unlikely that someone without legal training would understand each of those sections and how they apply to your divorce. That’s why it is so crucial to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.
Dabbling in Do-it-Yourself Divorce May Not Be Your Best Course of Action
Talk to experienced Alabama attorney Bruce Adams. He knows how to handle his clients’ legal questions and concerns. Please contact Bruce at 256-237-3339 to set up an appointment or use our convenient Contact Form. Our office is located in Anniston, Alabama, but we assist clients in surrounding Calhoun, Cleburne, Etowah, and St. Clair Counties.