If you and your partner are divorcing and are committed to keeping it civil, pursuing a do-it-yourself divorce might sound tempting. You might have modest finances or no children or think you see eye-to-eye on all the pertinent issues.
However, there are some things to consider before you decide to divorce yourselves.
You leave money on the table
Finances are often a factor behind people opting for a DIY divorce. Either they want to save money, or they don’t want to end up nickel-and-diming each other. Thus, keeping lawyers and financial professionals out of it might seem like a good idea.
However, taking this route could mean leaving money on the table – and possibly significant sums of money, at that. For instance, you may give up the option to pursue spousal support or overlook opportunities to minimize financial penalties when dividing marital assets. Ultimately, you could lose or spend more than you saved by doing it yourself.
Your ex doesn’t play fair
If your divorce is amicable, you may think you are working together to reach fair agreements. Your ex might even say you can have “whatever you want.” But the fact is that there is no guarantee that this person is being honest and fair.
For instance, despite what they claim, they could be hiding assets, building up debt for which you could be liable or planning to relocate with your kids after finalizing the divorce.
However, with legal representation, investigations can be more thorough, and you can have confidence that any agreements you reach are fair now and in the future.
You get tangled up in the legal process
The fact is that many people are going through a divorce for the first time. And it may even be their first opportunity to interact with the legal system. Because of this, the jargon, deadlines and process can seem overwhelming and intimidating.
Unfortunately, mistakes like missing deadlines or filing the wrong paperwork can set you back in a Minnesota divorce. You can wind up having to resubmit documents, dealing with delays or possibly getting a ruling against you.
There are certainly elements of a divorce that you can tackle yourself. However, navigating the entire process alone can be frustrating, disappointing and stressful. Talking to an attorney at some point can help you pursue your desired outcome.