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Disadvantages of a DIY divorce

On Behalf of | May 2, 2017 | Blog

According to a report in the Star Tribune, Minnesota’s marriage rate is declining. In 1940, the rate was 76 percent. By 2000, the rate was 52 percent, and in 2010, it had dropped to 48 percent. Many younger people are simply delaying marriage, but divorce has a lot to do with declining marriage rates, too. People without college degrees are not staying married. Low income can lead to marriage instability, which leads to divorce. 

If you do not have a lot of income, you may consider representing yourself in a divorce, almost like a do-it-yourself project. In legal terms, this is called pro se. You have the right to act as your own counsel, but the question is whether it is a good idea to represent yourself in a divorce. Yes, you do save money by filing your own paperwork and handling the court process, but you should consider the disadvantages as well. 

  • There is a lot of paperwork for child custody, support, name changes and property title changes. One small error could be devastating to your divorce.
  • You will have no help from the judge or the other lawyer if you act as your own attorney. You will have to be completely prepared when you come to court, even if you do not know what to prepare for.
  • You will not have a buffer between you and your spouse, a role an attorney often takes to keep you from fighting over the details of your divorce.

Are you willing to risk what is important to you? Do you want to trust your future to a person who has never been to law school and does not know all the ins and outs of the legal system? 

An experienced attorney helps you through your divorce 

Having an experienced divorce attorney on your side makes sense when you are trying to divide your property and work out a child custody agreement. You can go through your divorce on your own, but the risks are high that you might not get everything you deserve. Contact an attorney to learn more about your options.