When you first think about a divorce, you may think it is only a couple of pieces of paperwork, and then you can get rid of the person forever. However, that is rarely the case, especially if you have significant assets and children. It is not uncommon for people to think that they can represent themselves in court and avoid the costs of attorney fees.
While this move can certainly save your money, it poses a lot of risks as well. The number one risk is losing the case. Hiring Boston, MA divorce attorneys will ensure that you are going on the right path while representing yourself can make you vulnerable to costly mistakes.
Costly risks of representing yourself in your divorce case
- Representing yourself is a big commitment.
When you decide you represent yourself in your divorce, you should be prepared to invest a substantial amount of time in it. To make sure you know how everything works, you will need to invest a lot of time and energy into legal research.
Moreover, you will also be required to be present in all the hearings and legal meetings, which can disrupt your everyday life. Finding time for your other important commitments can become difficult, like your job or taking care of your child.
- Preparing for a case and arguing at a trial requires extensive knowledge.
Undoubtedly, the job of being a lawyer, even for a day, is not easy. Lawyers in Boston, MA, spend years getting their education and work experience to achieve expertise. One cannot expect to do some research on Google and reach that level so easily.
Moreover, preparing for a trial is one of the most difficult things, even for an attorney. It requires extensive legal knowledge, skills, and experience. The court does not provide help during the trial and will hold you to the same standards as an attorney.
- You may get less than you are entitled to.
Representing yourself in a divorce case is much more than just filing paperwork and knowing the deadlines. You need to know the regulations of the legislation, the legal system, your rights, and how you can protect them by heart.
When you lack this knowledge, it can be easy to get fooled by the other party, especially if they have retained an attorney. If the other party has an attorney, they could take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge. They may make it look like a fair deal during asset division when they are really just giving you the bare minimum.
