So, you’ve decided you want a divorce. Perhaps you have already tried counseling to save your marriage, but have been unsuccessful. You want to move forward and get on with it – but wait! Before you jump in and start calling divorce attorneys, there are some important things for you to consider.
Do you know how the divorce process works? Do you know the different ways to get a divorce, some of which do not involve attorneys at all? Would you like to save money, perhaps a LOT of money, on the divorce process?
Some strategic planning can save you a lot of time and stress, in addition to saving you money. Seek out organizations that can assist you with two types of services (Divorce With Dignity offers both) – (1) planning and facilitation, and (2) legal document preparation and filing.
Planning & Facilitation
It would be wise to talk things over with a trained professional who specializes in family law before deciding your next steps. If you have a Divorce With Dignity office near you, one of our providers can help you with this, findaprovider.dwdignity.com. Some of the ways we can assist you are:
- Provide a safe place to talk “divorce”
- Help you determine if you have explored all options for saving the marriage (if that is what you want)
- Educate you about the legal process and the different ways of obtaining a divorce, with an emphasis on making it as peaceful as possible
- Calculate guideline child support and spousal support, if appropriate
- Review your issues with you to determine which ones you and your spouse are in agreement on, and which may require mediation or legal advice
- Develop an informal plan of action
- Provide unlimited referrals to: mediators, attorneys, counselors, or other services that you may require related to the divorce
- Coach you on how to work with a mediator and/or divorce lawyer
Take some time before rushing into anything, and get the help you need to figure out what will really be best for your situation.
Legal Document Preparation & Filing
If you have decided on a plan of action that does not include litigation, then you will need some help preparing and filing the divorce papers. A divorce support organization, like Divorce With Dignity, can help you with this. Even if you have some experience with legal documents, trying to prepare and file your own divorce paperwork can be daunting and frustrating. Get some help with this, so you can focus on other things and not add to your stress at this difficult time.
Final Thoughts
Planning for divorce and getting the divorce papers properly filled out and filed in court are not easily done on your own. But rather than hiring a divorce lawyer as your first step, explore your options and do some planning with the help of a divorce support provider. Then if you do decide to hire a lawyer, you will be better prepared. But you may find that you will not need a lawyer after all.
Let us help you get through your divorce – with dignity!
The author of this blog is not an attorney and the information contained in these blogs should not be considered legal advice. The information provided here is based on the experience of the author and some of her clients whose actual names are not mentioned. Do not hesitate to seek the advice of an attorney if you have any legal questions
