One question I frequently hear from people considering divorce is, “Do I have to hire an attorney for my divorce?” The short answer is NO, you don’t have to hire an attorney. You can technically handle it on your own, just like you could walk from Los Angeles to New York. But, much like walking cross-country, representing yourself in a divorce can be a long, difficult journey – one that’s a lot easier with the right help.
There’s a lot of misinformation floating around, especially on social media. You might hear someone say, “You don’t need an attorney – just download some forms online, and you’re good to go!” But this advice is often misleading.
Filing for a divorce involves much more than just filling out a few forms; every detail matters. When you file a divorce complaint in Shelby County, your case is randomly assigned to one of 12 courtrooms, each with different judges and divorce referees. These referees act as gatekeepers, completing all forms correctly before the judge sees your case. Unfortunately, unless you’re an attorney, it’s easy to make mistakes that can delay or even derail your case.
We see this situation play out regularly… Someone tries to represent themselves and ends up in front of the judge, often for the third or fourth time, still struggling with the paperwork. After weeks or months of frustration, they’re told they need to hire an attorney anyway. By then, they’ve wasted precious time and energy that could have been saved by involving an attorney.
The smartest, most efficient route is to hire an experienced divorce attorney from the beginning. We can ensure all your paperwork is correct, guide you through the court process, and protect your interests. This will save you time, stress, and potential headaches down the road.
Other factors to consider:
