Beware of the Do-it-Yourself Divorce

It may seem like the least expensive, fastest alternative to hiring attorneys: go online or get some forms from a paralegal service and write up your own divorce. After all, in Florida, divorce is no-fault, so you simply have to assert that your marriage is irretrievably broken. Is there a reason to spend the money for a lawyer?

As a lawyer that has represented hundreds of clients, we have seen the hazards of do-it-yourself divorce. Marriage is a powerful legal institution, and the dissolution of marriage must be handled carefully in order to ensure that the parties to the divorce actually get what they think they are getting — a fair and permanent settlement.

Your advocates in family law and divorce Free consultation. Speak with an attorney.

Our firm has had to repair damage from attempted "economy" divorces when clients came to us facing threats posed by simple errors:

• A check in the wrong box on the forms
• Not file something timely or not making an object timely
• A single poorly chosen word concerning the marital home or parenting plan
• Failure to file a required document
• Not properly addressing issues that may concern the court

The courts in Florida are mandated to hold pro-se litigants to the same standards as attorneys. Everyone is charged with knowing the law – whether they actually do or not! And once the Final Judgment is entered, you may not get another chance to fix the problem.

If you have a good working relationship with your spouse, you may be surprised at how economical it is to have an experienced lawyer review your agreement with your spouse, ensure proper filings are made, and provide the protection you and your children need as you begin to rebuild your life.

Whatever stage you are at in your divorce — considering a divorce, negotiating a custody agreement, or preparing to file for divorce — contact our law firm. You will speak with a divorce lawyer, not just an assistant or a paralegal.