When you and your spouse start talking about a divorce, the question might come up, “Who should hire the lawyer?” While the answer will be different for each unique situation, there are a few things you should think about.
Not Hiring a Lawyer at All
If neither you nor your spouse choose to hire a lawyer, you could be banking on the idea that your divorce will be uncontested. While uncontested divorces do happen, they are a rarity. Without a lawyer on either side, you and your spouse may have a hard time coming to an agreement on certain things, could leave out some important aspects of the divorce and could end up spending more time on the entire process.
If you have only been married a short time, have no children and have no assets, it’s possible to get through a divorce without hiring a lawyer. You might still want to consult with a professional to be sure you’re making the right decision though.
Only Hiring One Lawyer
In some divorce cases, the couple will agree to only hire one lawyer and split the cost. While this sounds like a great idea, there are some complications. First, whoever actually hires the lawyer will be the one responsible for the cost. If the other spouse doesn’t pull through, the person who hired the lawyer could be stuck with the entire bill.
Second, whoever hires the lawyer will have that lawyer on his or her side. If your spouse is the one who hired the lawyer, that professional will be acting in the best interest of your spouse. You may not have anyone on your side to help you understand what is going on and whether the final agreements are fair to you.
Hiring Two Lawyers
Perhaps the best way to go is each spouse hiring his or her own lawyer. You both deserve to have someone on your side, doing what is best for each of you. You also deserve to have someone on your side who understands the law and can help you get through the whole process. If one or both of you choose not to hire a lawyer, you should at least each have a lawyer look over the settlement before it gets submitted.
Getting Started Today
Divorce can be confusing. It’s possibly something you’ve never done before, and all those legal terms could be perplexing. Contact a family lawyer, like a family law lawyer in Arlington, VA, today to get started with your case.
Thank you to the experts at May Law, LLP, for their time and input into family law.