The truth of the matter is that you are not required to have a lawyer represent you in your divorce. There are some who are able to represent themselves and complete the divorce process; however, divorce can be a long and arduous process, with many steps and pitfalls along the way.

One mistake could be costly and extremely difficult to correct.

The main reason people attempt to process a divorce on their own is the cost of hiring an attorney. Desiring to save some money is not a bad idea, but if you make a mistake it can cost far more to hire an attorney to help fix the problem. It is much easier to prevent a mistake from happening than it is to go back and correct one that has already been made. In the thousands of divorce cases we have successfully completed, we see clients all too often who began the divorce process on their own, only to discover they have made an error. Retaining an attorney at this point could cost 2-3 times what it would have cost if they had hired an experienced divorce lawyer from the beginning.

Holstrom, Block & Parke offers affordable legal services because we don’t want to see anyone make a huge mistake because they couldn’t afford an attorney. We believe everyone should have access to representation for his or her case, and we do everything in our power to represent anyone we can help.

Common Mistakes Made Without an Attorney:

• Divorce Forms on the Web: It’s extremely easy to make a mistake on a divorce form found on the Internet and not realize it until it’s too late. These forms may also not be current and can cause a lot of issues down the road.
• Missed Documents: Have you ever tried reading and fully understanding a statute? If not, now may not be the best time to learn. Many people without attorneys don’t file all the required documents. We receive calls from people who think their divorce was finished years ago, but they forgot to file a document and their world was shattered all over again. In addition to the stress and legal complications, monetary costs skyrocket.
• Missing a Deadline: Your mental capabilities will almost definitely be lowered when you’re going through this trying time. Lawyers ensure that you will not miss a filing deadline, hearing or any other important date that is crucial to the process.

There are a number of issues that can present themselves to you if you choose to do-it-yourself. Above all, divorce can be a very complicated procedure. There are documents to fill out, hearings to attend, and forms to be filed. Missing any of the steps along the way can cost you time, money, and all sorts of other headaches.

In addition, divorce is a difficult thing to deal with. Even an amicable divorce is not easy. Divorce is an emotional rollarcoaster. You are faced with important decisions that will affect you, your spouse and your children not only now but in the foreseeable future. You need someone who can not only keep a cool head, but is also well-versed in divorce law, to help guide you through the sometimes troubled waters you are about to enter.

The divorce attorneys at Holstrom, Block & Parke can provide you with the best understanding of all your divorce options. We will make sure that you don’t fall victim to the issues and mistakes that so commonly occur with “do-it-yourself” divorce. Call us directly!