QUESTION

Is it difficult to do a divorce on your own?

Asked on Jun 19th, 2015 on Divorce - Michigan
More details to this question:
If we were only married for about 4 years and don't have any children, will this be difficult? We have a joint bank account and he has retirement. We bought a new house after we married, and our cars are in our individual names.
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5 ANSWERS

Your best bet may be to consider Mediation instead of doing it yourself. Mediation is Fast, Effective and Affordable and the Mediator can assist you with any help you might need completing the forms.
Answered on Jun 19th, 2015 at 4:17 PM

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Divorce & Family Law Attorney serving Salt Lake City, UT at Utah Family Law LC
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For most people (and that includes you, probably), yes. Just as you can repair your own car, paint your own house, fix your own plumbing, etc. you are allowed by law to handle your own divorce. Just bear in mind how well it went the last time you tried to repair your own car, paint your own house, fix your own plumbing, etc. Some people may find themselves talented at handling of their own divorce. Most people who are not divorce attorneys have no such talent and either cannot or will not compensate for their lack of talent by digging in and doing the work necessary to become competent. While doing your own divorce work will result in you not paying an attorney to do that work for you, if the money you "save" results in substantial financial losses due to your ignorance of the law, then you end up penny wise and pound foolish. You'll never regret paying for value. Not every attorney will be a good value. Mediocre and incompetent attorneys are a waste of money, but paying for the services of an attorney who protect you and leaves you better off than you would be if you relied solely on self-help is a wise investment.
Answered on Jun 19th, 2015 at 12:19 PM

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Yes, with those assets an attorney will be necessary.
Answered on Jun 19th, 2015 at 11:46 AM

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It is certainly possible to do a pro se divorce. If, as you suggest, the two of you can reach agreements on all the matters which might be in dispute in a divorce, and there are no children, and no very large amounts of property, you could obtain pre-printed forms for a DIY divorce. The risk in following this route is that the spouse who has more knowledge about divorce law and procedure can gain an unfair advantage. So my general advice is that in any court matter where important interests are involved, retain a lawyer. Your divorce might be one of the rare cases where that is not necessary. But it does carry risks.
Answered on Jun 19th, 2015 at 11:24 AM

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Appellate Attorney serving Grosse Pointe Farms, MI at Musilli Brennan Associates, PLLC
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It is no more difficult than fixing an oil leak which is ruining either of the cars. It's your life, your future.
Answered on Jun 19th, 2015 at 11:14 AM

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