We understand that for many people, low-cost DIY divorce web services can be attractive. But, most sites don’t provide the broad range of legal advice you really need when you are taking one of the biggest steps in your life—getting a divorce.
Especially when children are involved, it is extremely important to work with a lawyer to protect their best interests.
Experienced attorneys look at the whole picture of your life. By understanding the dynamics of your marriage and getting to know each parent’s contributions, what is in the best interest of the children, for example, your lawyer can obtain the best settlement possible or prepare thoroughly and properly for trial.
DIY Divorce Website Claims
DIY websites claim that users have access to a “document assembly system.” But users are on their own when determining what is relevant.
Others claim that “top divorce attorneys” use their system. While this may be true, many attorneys do this simply because the courts require uniformity in the way documents look and how they are filed. The similarity ends there. A forms program cannot analyze your individual situation, nor can it spot potential issues and problems. Only an experienced attorney can do that.
These websites only offer pieces of what you need. They offer only forms for certain parts of the divorce process. But it is shortsighted to look at only one segment of the divorce process at a time.
Consult With a Lawyer First—It’s Less Expensive in the Long Run
While many systems will give you the option to speak to one of their attorneys if you need to, these conversations often come too late—after a problem arises. In most cases, clients are better off not having paid the fees for the DIY program access, because their legal costs increase when they later have to consult with a lawyer.
- The lawyer must try to fix or undo a serious mistake, which costs more. Clients often come to us after purchasing these DIY services. DIY services are not lawyers and cannot advise you properly
- Clients usually don’t understand the consequence of completing legal forms inaccurately. This means such documents are not binding on the other party, or that they do not properly relate your wishes and agreements.
- You could end up losing custody, paying more in alimony or receiving less than you should, having to share your children with an abusive spouse, or any number of disastrous consequences
Filling in a form is no substitute for working with an attorney who understands the legal nuances of an answer. Even though it is a form, there is still a lot of legal terminologies that can trip you up as a non-lawyer.
Contact Us for Experienced, Personalized Divorce Advice in Minnesota
Most divorces are complex enough that without a lawyer, you could severely compromise your rights on both your property rights and your visitation, custody and child support agreements.
We care about you and want to make sure you receive the best divorce settlement possible. We want to ensure that you have custody and control over your decisions about children’s lives and well-being. If you’d like to talk more and you live in Minnesota, contact us to set up a consultation.
