In Arizona, you are not required to hire a lawyer to file for divorce. If you choose to do so, you can download the forms you need, fill them out, and go to court on your own. But, should you hire a lawyer to help you? This is a very different question, and the answer is a clear, “Yes.”
To be clear, hiring a lawyer for your divorce can mean different things in different circumstances. For many couples, it will make sense for each spouse to have his or her own legal representation. But, there are circumstances in which hiring a single divorce lawyer can work; and, in some cases, divorcing spouses can hire a lawyer to mediate their divorce as well.
5 Benefits of Working with a Divorce Lawyer in Arizona
Why should you work with a divorce lawyer if you aren’t legally required to do so? Here are five important benefits of working with a divorce lawyer in Arizona:
1. Making Sure You Address All of the Issues Involved in Your Divorce
Getting divorced is a complex process. Divorcing spouses must address a variety of issues during the process, and overlooking any of these issues can lead to additional costs, complications, and disputes down the line. When you work with an experienced divorce lawyer, your lawyer will help ensure that you appropriately address issues such as:
- Which of your assets qualify as “community property” (and will need to be divided during the divorce process)?
- Which of your assets qualify as “separate property” (and are either yours or your spouse’s to keep after your divorce)?
- How should you “divide” large community assets such as retirement accounts, investment accounts, and the family home?
- Are you (or is your spouse) entitled to alimony and/or child support in your divorce?
- How should you divide (or share) your parental rights and responsibilities after your divorce?
These are just examples. Depending on your family and financial circumstances, you may need to address a wide range of other issues during your divorce as well. An experienced divorce lawyer will be able to help ensure that you address all necessary issues so that you don’t run into unexpected problems in the future.
2. Making Sure You Consider All of Your Options
In addition to helping you address all of the issues involved in your divorce, an experienced divorce lawyer can also help you consider all of your options. Generally speaking, divorcing spouses have a variety of options when it comes to addressing all of the issues involved in the divorce process—from dividing their community property to dividing their post-divorce parenting time.
Different options make sense in different circumstances, and it is critical to ensure that you choose the best options for you and your children. If you don’t, you could find yourself facing unnecessary challenges (financial or otherwise), and you will wish that you had taken a different approach to the divorce process.
3. Preparing a Divorce Settlement Agreement and Parenting Plan that Reflect Your Specific Circumstances
Just as you need to take a personalized approach to your divorce, you also need to prepare a divorce settlement agreement and parenting plan that reflect your specific circumstances. These documents will play an integral role in your life for years to come, so it is critical that you give them the time, attention, and thought they deserve.
An uncontested divorce lawyer can assist you in making sure these documents are fair, clear, and comprehensive.
It is also critical that they say what you mean for them to say, and that they are legally enforceable under Arizona law. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you with all of these—whether your lawyer is representing you individually, advising you and your spouse, or serving as a neutral third-party mediator.
4. Feeling Confident in Your Decision-Making
One of the most important reasons to work with an experienced divorce lawyer is so that you can feel confident in your decision-making. As we just discussed, the decisions you make during your divorce will impact your life for years to come. If you have children, they will impact your children’s lives as well, and you need to ensure that you are making informed decisions with your children’s best interests in mind.
If you aren’t confident in your decision-making, you will find yourself wondering what you could (and perhaps should) have done differently. Not only is this an uncomfortable feeling, but it can also lead to a significant amount of stress. By working with an experienced divorce lawyer, you can alleviate your stress both during and after the process, and you can move on from your divorce knowing that you’ve done the best you possibly could have for you and your children.
5. Resolving Disagreements Without Unnecessary Conflicts
Many people assume that getting lawyers involved will complicate the process and lead to unnecessary conflicts along the way. However, this is not the case. An experienced divorce lawyer will focus on helping you find ways to come to terms without disagreements devolving into contentious disputes. This is true whether your lawyer is serving in a representative capacity or as a mediator.
Ultimately, the key to a successful divorce is informed decision-making focused on the future. When both spouses are willing to work toward an amicable resolution, and when they have the guidance they need at each step along the way, they can reach a final resolution efficiently and cost-effectively. It is when spouses overlook important issues or start making assumptions that they end up making uninformed decisions that can have negative consequences for the future.
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Consultation with a Phoenix Divorce Lawyer at Weingart Family Law
Are you contemplating a divorce in Arizona? Do you have questions about whether you should hire a lawyer to represent you or mediate your divorce? If so, we invite you to get in touch. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Phoenix divorce lawyer at Weingart Family Law, give us a call at 480-608-9098 or tell us how we can help online today.