Can I Represent Myself or Should I Hire an Attorney?
Deciding to dissolve your marriage and get a divorce is never an easy choice or decision. This decision becomes even harder in instances where children and economic considerations are involved. The truth is that even with an experienced attorney a New Jersey divorce can get pretty messy fast. Many websites online advertise quick, cheap and painless do-it-yourself divorce proceedings. The promise of a do-it-yourself divorce may seem cheap and easy at first glance, but typically ends up costing more in the long run. If you are asking your self “Do I need to hire a divorce lawyer in NJ”, you probably already know the answer. Sound legal advice in life altering situations is never a bad investment.
The Downside of Handling Your Own NJ Divorce
Filing for a divorce in NJ without a lawyer (also known as pro se or without counsel) can have both short term and long term ramifications. The impact and cost of these ramifications far outweigh any time or cost saving benefits being promised. The costs associated with doing it yourself can cause financial harm to both you and your family in a variety of ways.
- Failure to address important issues such as life insurance as a security for child support payment obligations can be very costly. If the spouse responsible for making child support payments passes away before meeting their obligations, you and your children are financially vulnerable.
- There are various legal options available to you and your spouse in regards to child custody. Accidentally mislabeling custody in your divorce agreement can have damaging effects, as the differences between types of custody can be dramatic.
- It is important to avoid mishandling the distribution of funds in a retirement account as this can result in significant tax penalties.
- Additional factors based on your unique circumstances that an experienced attorney well versed in divorce law in NJ can help you identify.
Understanding Your Legal Options
One of the most important factors in retaining legal counsel when filing for divorce in NJ is understanding your legal options. An experienced NJ divorce lawyer can help you determine the best course of legal action for yourself and your family based on your unique circumstances. It can be difficult to understand what factors are important when negotiating a divorce settlement without proper legal counsel. Divorce in NJ is never an easy process, but our attorneys will work with you every step of the way to make it a manageable one.