Going through a divorce is one of the biggest things that can happen in a person’s life. It’s right up there with getting married and having a child. It has the potential to affect the rest of your life. One of the big decisions that you have to make at this point is whether you are going to hire representation or not, and there are more than a few reasons to choose a divorce attorney.
A lot of thought needs to go into this decision. Are you going to try to go through the divorce on your own, or are you going to hire an attorney? Although paying for an attorney indeed has the potential to be costly, you may find that not choosing a good divorce attorney is an even larger problem. Below are some of the main reasons to work with an attorney.
1. An Attorney Knows Arizona Family Law
How much do you know about family law in Arizona? Chances are good that you don’t know the law, which means if you were to represent yourself there is a good chance you could make a mistake that could come back to haunt you later. You might not know what type of evidence you need or how to disclose your financial information. Countless potential problems could arise without an attorney working on your side.
A good divorce attorney knows the law, knows how it applies to your specific situation, and can explain what’s happening in plain language so you’re not left guessing.
2. You Have Someone Looking Out for You
All of this can be overwhelming and isolating. Your life is changing now that you are no longer going to be married. It can feel as though you don’t have anyone on your side, and you don’t know who you can trust. One of the best things about working with an attorney is that you know they are on your side.
That means you have someone to call when you have questions, someone to push back when something isn’t fair, and someone who can help you think through decisions when you’re too close to the situation to see it clearly.
3. They Help Make Sure Things Are Actually Fair
Not every divorce involves bad intentions, but it does happen that one spouse takes advantage of the other’s unfamiliarity with the legal process. Things like asset division, child custody, child support, and spousal maintenance all have rules around them, and if you don’t know what you’re entitled to, it’s easy to end up with less than you should.
An attorney helps make sure:
- Assets are divided properly under Arizona’s community property laws
- Custody and parenting time arrangements are reasonable and reflect what’s best for your kids
- Support amounts are calculated correctly
- You’re not signing away rights you didn’t realize you had
4. They Know How the Courts Work
Just like you don’t know all of the statutes and how the law works, you probably can’t easily navigate the courts on your own. While it’s something you could figure out, you already have a lot on your mind now that you are going through your divorce. Working with an attorney who already knows the ins and outs of the courts will make things easier.
Attorneys deal with this every day. They know what needs to be filed, when it needs to be filed, and what happens if something gets missed. That takes a significant amount of stress off your plate during an already difficult time.
5. They Can Handle Communication With Your Spouse
There may be issues when it comes to communicating with your spouse. Whether it’s due to domestic violence or other issues, it could feel impossible to have to deal with your husband or wife. Fortunately, the attorney can help you here, as well.
Your attorney can correspond with your spouse’s legal team in a way that’s professional and keeps the process moving, without you having to be directly involved in every exchange.
6. They Help You Make Decisions Without Pure Emotion Driving Them
It’s completely normal to feel emotional during a divorce. But some of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make about your finances and your children are happening right now, and making those calls purely based on how you feel in a given moment can lead to outcomes you’ll regret.
Having an attorney doesn’t mean ignoring your feelings. It means having someone who can walk you through the practical side of each decision so you understand what you’re agreeing to before you agree to it.
7. It Makes the Whole Process a Lot Easier
You’re already dealing with a lot. Adding “learn how to navigate the legal system” on top of everything else is genuinely overwhelming. An attorney handles the paperwork, keeps track of deadlines, and makes sure things are moving in the right direction.
It doesn’t mean your divorce will be painless, but it does mean you’re not trying to manage a complicated legal process on your own while also putting the rest of your life back together.
Choose the Right Attorney
Finding a good fit matters. Look for an attorney with real experience in Arizona divorce cases and ideally experience with cases similar to yours. If your divorce involves significant assets, a business, or a complicated custody situation, you want someone who has dealt with those specific issues before.
The right attorney won’t make divorce easy, but they will make it more manageable and help you come out the other side in a fair position.
