How a Family Law Attorney Helps Protect Your Interest

If you have come to the point in your marriage where you are ready to end it and get divorced, you may be wondering if you need a lawyer to handle the divorce.  There are some do-it-yourself options where you can prepare your own divorce decree and then work on getting it approved and finalized by the court.  While this approach can save you a lot of money in legal fees, it is generally not recommended due to the potential bad effects.  

A Divorce Lawyer Helps You Prepare a Divorce Agreement that will get Approved

There are two massive risks to preparing your own divorce as a non-attorney.  

• The first is that you will mess something up on the divorce and work to get it through the process only to have it denied by a family law judge.  
• The second risk is that you will screw something up and it WILL get past the judge, and then you will have to spend thousands of dollars to fix it, or live with the consequences. 

What are some of the mistakes that can be made by preparing my own divorce? 

1. Incomplete Financial Picture
   If you are not aware of your spouse’s full financial picture – including 401k and other retirement accounts like IRAs, savings accounts, cash, other assets, jewelry and more you can be losing thousands of dollars.
   
2. Incorrect Real Estate Valuations
   Do you know how much you own on your home?  Do you know how much your home is worth?  Do you know that those numbers came from an objective and reliable third party source who you can trust?  Fudging numbers on real estate can shift tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars the wrong way.   
   
3. Custody Arrangement that is Not Sustainable
   One of the most common things that is revisited after a divorce is finalized is the custody arrangement.  It’s important that you have a custody agreement that is both fair and realistic.   A lawyer can help you make sure you have the right custody lawyer for your situation.     
4. Spousal Support Numbers that are not enforceable
   
   Spousal support, both temporary and long-term, is very difficult to negotiate and get set up automatically without legal guidance.  Getting temporary support set up is such an important step for spouses who do not have an outcome and wish to pursue a divorce. 

A Divorce Lawyer Can Help You Do a Reality Check

Especially when people are first considering divorce, it can be such an emotionally overwhelming thing… this results in people making a worst case scenario in their head.  For instance, I talk to people who just assume they will “lose everything” or “have no where to live”.  A divorce lawyer can help you take a reality check.   We hear so much from our friends and family and neighbors.  Take the time to speak to an actual lawyer who can help you understand Minnesota divorce law and how it applies to your specific situation.