These days, it’s not uncommon to meet people who have handled their own divorces by printing out forms, purchasing a divorce kit from a retail store, filing all the paperwork themselves and appearing in court whenever necessary. At first blush, it seems like the sort of thing anyone can do. So why hire an attorney to do all these things you could just do yourself?
Actually, there are a number of reasons you might not want to go it alone during your divorce:
You probably don’t have the experience
While it’s true that second and third marriages are more likely to end in divorce than first marriages, even a couple of divorces in your background won’t give you the background knowledge that any good divorce attorney has. As the years go by, an attorney gains more and more experience and a better understanding of the process, the local judges, the letter of the law and everything else related to divorce in Minnesota.
Proper procedure matters
Errors committed during the divorce process, from mistakes on essential paperwork to missed deadlines, lead to delays that can drag your divorce out much longer than you’d prefer. These mistakes can also sabotage your case. One of the most important ways an attorney can help you is by properly presenting documents and evidence to the court. You can count on an attorney to handle your case carefully and efficiently.
Your time is important
Think about all the aspects of your life that are changing due to your divorce. You might need to be thinking about moving, looking for a job, taking care of your children’s needs and just handling day-to-day life. Rather than using your valuable time racing around to take care of your own divorce, let an experienced professional handle the work so you can focus on the other things that matter.
Every divorce is different, and if you have any questions or concerns about yours, you should feel comfortable consulting a skilled Washington County divorce attorney with Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart.
