|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hire Divorce Lawyer or Use Online Divorce Forms
When do you need to hire a family law attorney and when is it okay to just use an online divorce form website to save a little money? This article will provide a few pointers to help you decide whether to do it yourself or retain a divorce lawyer.
What Does it Mean to Use an Online Divorce Form Website?
Essentially, using an online form website in your divorce case means that you will represent yourself and act as your own lawyer. All of the online divorce form sites have disclaimers making it clear that they are not your lawyer and are just preparing documents on your behalf. While it is your constitutional right to act as your own lawyer, there are some significant risks involved that should be evaluated before you take the online route.
Additionally, you have to evaluate the particular website you are dealing with. Most are national sites that offer forms that they claim will work in any state. However, every state has different laws. In other words, a California Divorce Decree will not be identical to a Texas Divorce Decree because the laws of the two states are not identical. So with an online divorce you are basically getting a generic form that may or may not work in your jurisdiction.
What if You Have Children?
While many of the divorce form sites claim to offer forms that address the necessary provisions regarding children (conservatorship, support, visitation, etc.), it is very risky to use these generic forms when you have children. You must remember that your divorce forms are being prepared using online software that simply fills in the blanks with your answers to very simplistic yes/no or multiple choice questions. These answers may not necessarily fit your situation or you may not fully understand the question.
This is where a competent lawyer can make a big difference. A lawyer will learn more about your situation and find out exactly what your documents need to say, instead of just the boilerplate language that the divorce website's software spits out. If you have children, you should take the safe route and hire an experienced divorce lawyer.
What if You Own Property?
Many of the divorce form sites also claim to offer forms that will deal with the most complex of property divisions. But when it comes to dividing any property beyond personal effects (clothes, furniture, etc.), it is risky to rely solely on generic divorce forms. If you or your spouse own real estate, vehicles, 401k accounts or other retirement accounts, or have any other financial assets or liabilities, an online divorce form will not necessarily protect your interests.
A competent divorce lawyer would be able to, first, analyze your situation and determine what property division is in your best interest, and second, ensure that all the assets awarded to you were properly transferred and the titles correctly recorded on your behalf.
Conclusion
Using an online divorce form always carries a certain amount of risk. If there are no children from the marriage and no property to divide, then saving a few hundred dollars may be worth the risk and the extra work you will have to do. But for most people, especially those with children or property, it is essential to hire an experienced divorce lawyer to handle their case.
About the Author
Scott Morgan has been a Houston divorce lawyer since 1994. His practice focuses exclusivley on divorce and family law cases. You can find out more about Mr. Morgan on his website, http://www.houstondivorce.com.
Better Links Directory My oldest boy asked me something the other day about... Read More Even if you believe your case will ultimately be agreed... Read More It's a well known fact that in this day and... Read More You want three things in your divorce attorney: expertise in... Read More One peculiar feature of a stepfamily is that they are... Read More Attempts to use the worldwide Web as an effective means... Read More Deciding about whether you should get a divorce or not... Read More Raleigh, NC-The largest divorce firm in the state, Rosen Law... Read More All children are different and respond differently to divorce. Depending... Read More 1. DO allow yourself enough time to make one of... Read More The most recent statistics show that about 50% of all... Read More Divorce has become part of life in the 21st century.... Read More The most recent statistics show that about 50% of all... Read More When a couple decides their marriage is over, a tremendous... Read More What 7 most distressful situations to kids that divorced parents... Read More The best predictor of a good divorce outcome is the... Read More According to the Center for Disease Control's National Vital Statistics... Read More Mary and Bill recently divorced. Their divorce decree stated that... Read More Successfully releasing your anger will help you begin healing after... Read More What 3 major divorce parenting mistakes that surely lead to... Read More No matter which side you are on, spousal support is... Read More Getting the right type of divorce advice depends on what... Read More Stay MarriedAlong with any tough decision comes reluctance, especially when... Read More Life after divorce is something that most people who are... Read More There are many advantages to doing your own divorce. Three... Read More
Too Many Divorces
Seven Sets of Documents You Need For Your Divorce
Deciding on Divorce: How to Know You are Making the Right Choice
How to Use a Divorce Lawyer
Rebuilding Your Life from the Ashes
Divorce Online Sevice - Why Should We Lose Money And Time Applying For Divorce?
How To Identify What The Question Should I Get a Divorce? Means To You
An In-Depth Look at Army Divorce Rates
Divorce and Children: Things To Consider When Youre Staying Married Only For Your Children
Top 5 To Dos Before Saying ?I Do?
Divorce
Hidden Divorce Costs
Divorce and the Stock Market
Effects of Divorce on Children
Spare Your Kids To 7 Most Distressful Divorce Parenting Situations
Divorce--Negotiating Agreement: Ten Steps
Reasons For Divorce; What Constitutes Viable Reasons For Thinking About Or Wanting A Divorce?
Credit and Divorce
Coping With Divorce Anger
3 Major Divorce Parenting Mistakes And Learn How To Avoid Them
Deciding On Spousal Support
Divorce Advice: Getting Divorce Advice From the Right Source
Reasons You Arent Starting the Decision Making Process About Whether To Get a Divorce Or...
5 Ways To Ensure You Will Have a Happy Life After Divorce
Advantages to Doing Your Own Divorce
List of featured sites for sale
Divorce--Negotiating Agreement: Ten Steps
The best predictor of a good divorce outcome is the... Read More
How Women Should Protect Themselves Financially Regarding Divorce
Women who believe a divorce is a possibility or who... Read More
Divorce, The Hardest Thing You Have To Do
Knowing What To Do In DivorceKnowing what to do when... Read More
Dating Tips for Divorced and Widowed Moms
Dating is tough for just about everybody, but it's even... Read More
Does Your Sexless Marriage Have You Thinking About Divorce?
If you are in a sexless marriage and are unhappy... Read More
Divorce -Is It Lawful?
The question of divorce and its lawfulness is of long... Read More
Cheating Husbands - Meeting Needs?
Husbands cheat on their wives for many reasons. They could... Read More
The Legal Side of Divorce
While divorce can be an emotionally draining experience, even in... Read More
Does Living In A Loveless Marriage Necessarily Mean That You Should Get A Divorce?
Being in a loveless marriage is a frustrating predicament, but... Read More
Contested And Uncontested Divorce
A divorce case is contested if the parties cannot agree... Read More
Credit and Divorce
Mary and Bill recently divorced. Their divorce decree stated that... Read More
Is Your Marriage Problem Severe Enough To Warrant Getting A Divorce?
Having a marriage problem can be agonizing especially if you're... Read More
Stop Divorce: Should You Try To Stop Your Divorce If Youre Just Thinking About Getting A Divorce?
Thinking about getting a divorce doesn't necessarily mean that you... Read More
Divorce Makes Us Stronger
My friends call me the "Divorce Poster Child".At the age... Read More
Houston Divorce Lawyer - West Houston Attorney Answers Common Questions About Mediation
If you are reading this, then you are probably either... Read More
Spousal Emotional Abuse During Divorce--What You Can Do
Is your spouse violent, abusive, harassing? In cases of harassment... Read More
Deciding on Divorce: How to Know You are Making the Right Choice
It's a well known fact that in this day and... Read More
Why Men Wont Commit To Marriage
A common reason why men wont commit could be due... Read More
Alienation of Affection - Interference with marriage can cost big bucks in North Carolina
Non-lawyers are often surprised to learn that a spouse can... Read More
Divorce: How To Survive A Divorce And Move On With Your Life
One out of every two marriages in America is failing.American... Read More
Joint Bank Accounts and Divorce
Here are some useful tips on joint bank accounts and... Read More
Spare Your Kids To 7 Most Distressful Divorce Parenting Situations
What 7 most distressful situations to kids that divorced parents... Read More
Love and Marriage Fairy Tale
When we were children we believed in fairy tales and... Read More
Seven Sets of Documents You Need For Your Divorce
Even if you believe your case will ultimately be agreed... Read More
How to Recover From Divorce
As a licensed mental health professional, I work with many... Read More
Divorce Divorce |