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Is a divorce lawyer needed to get an amicable divorce? Let’s figure it out.
Perhaps you and your spouse just feel like roommates. Maybe you are both really unhappy in your marriage and just want out. Or maybe you have both been hurt by each other, but you are over the pain and just want to move on. If you and your spouse want a divorce, do you need a lawyer? If you are ending your marriage on good terms, can you get divorced without using a lawyer? Let’s figure it out!
The answer is no! You do not need a lawyer to get divorced. If you and your spouse are amicable about your divorce, then you honestly do not need a lawyer to proceed.
1. You don’t need a lawyer for an online divorce.
When it comes to getting an amicable divorce, you could even use an online company to help you with your annulment. Not only are online divorce companies cheaper, but they also make the entire process easier and fast. Some online divorce companies can send your divorce papers within 24 hours. If you and your spouse don’t have kids, and you agree about how to split your assets and debts, then you do not need a lawyer. You can fill out the online questionnaire on the divorce website, they will then see if you qualify and you can start the process. If you do have some questions or are unsure of anything, many of these companies have lawyers that you could talk to, just in case. If everything in your divorce is straightforward though, then you can go ahead with ease. By not using a lawyer you will be able to save a lot of money. Most of the time an online divorce is also a lot faster than the traditional; route. The typical cost of online divorce is between $300 and $500. If you compare that to the traditional route which could cost up to $15,000 per person, then you realize how much money you are actually saving. Lawyers also charge per hour, so if you can get your annulment without using a lawyer, you will really save money.
Another option is for you to do everything yourself. If you have an uncontested divorce, then a DIY divorce will be simple. You could get your divorce papers online for as little as $139. Once you have all your documentation, you can fill it out and then file it at your local family court. You could also get your divorce papers at your local family court. If you have any questions on how to fill out the documentation, then you can ask your local clerk for assistance. When you hand your documentation for your uncontested divorce, you will need to pay a fee. Some states even allow for a fee waiver, where you don’t even need to pay the fee if you can prove that you don’t have money to do so. There are other supporting documents that you will need to file. These documents include a list of your assets, such as money, property, and cars. Once this has all been filed, you will then need to make a date for your court hearing to finalize the proceedings. The judge will review your paperwork and ask you certain questions. Once this has been done, the judge will grant you your divorce decree. As you can see if you have an uncontested divorce, then you really do not need to have a lawyer. If you and your spouse agree to things such as:
• Child custody
• Parenting plans
• Spousal support
• Division of property
• Division of debts
Then you can go ahead and either file for an online dissolution of your marriage or a DIY annulment.
3. Reasons why you can skip the lawyers
When it comes to using lawyers, your entire divorce process could become insanely expensive, or drawn out. There are some lawyers out there who enjoy fighting, rather than resolving problems. These types of lawyers could turn a simple annulment into a battlefield. Stay away from these lawyers. Remember the more you use your lawyer the more everything will cost you in the long run. Lawyers charge per hour. The average cost of a lawyer per hour is between $255 to $520. `As you can see this can run up the costs of your marriage dissolution very quickly. Some lawyers charge call-out fees, or even to just send an email. Therefore if you would love to save money (like every single person I know) and your divorce is straightforward, do it yourself.
4. When should you hire a lawyer?
There are certain instances when a lawyer will be valuable. If you and your spouse can’t agree on certain aspects of your annulment, such as child support, or how to split assets, or if you have a violent spouse, hiring a lawyer will be wise. Another important time to hire a lawyer is if your spouse abuses things such as drugs, or if they have abused your children. You could also hire a lawyer if a business is involved in the dissolution of your marriage. If you do decide to use a lawyer, you don’t have to use them for the entire process of your divorce. You could use a lawyer for certain aspects rather than for everything. This will save you time and money. If there is something in your divorce that you don’t understand, you could always ask your local clerk, but if you would prefer legal advice, you could use a lawyer to answer any specific questions that you might have.
As you can see, you do not need to hire a divorce lawyer for an amicable divorce. There are many ways to get a divorce in an easy, quick and cheap way without using a lawyer. Have a look at different online companies, and choose the best one for your circumstances. Go to your local family court and ask questions. They will also be more than willing to help you dissolve your marriage.
