Divorce and lawyers
by: Wyoming Legal Services - Lander Office
Should I have a lawyer for my divorce?
Divorces are complex. They involve a lot of research, paperwork, deadlines, and decisions. On top of this, divorce is very stressful and emotional. Do you need a lawyer to help you with your divorce?
Lawyers: Should I have one?
Does using a lawyer make a divorce easier? Not always. It's true that divorces are difficult. But most couples are able to get through the big stuff on their own.
At first, it may be hard to talk with your spouse about these things. You may need some time apart before talking. You may need a mediator to help. But if you and your spouse can do your own divorce, it becomes a lot easier, cheaper, and quicker.
What are some of the reasons for not getting a lawyer?
- They are expensive. Some lawyers cost hundreds of dollars an hour.
- Divorces with lawyers can take longer.
- Lawyers are trained to fight for you as hard as possible. At first, this seems like a good thing. But sometimes they go too far. This can upset your spouse and children. Example: You want custody of the children. Your lawyer attacks your spouse for being a bad parent, even if you don't think that's true.
You should have a lawyer if...
- Your spouse abused you or your children. Your lawyer can get a court to keep your spouse away;
- Your spouse is lying or hiding things. A lawyer can help you find the truth;
- Your spouse is acting in a way that makes the divorce difficult;
- If your spouse is a lawyer, you should get one of your own.
Note: The lawyer doesn't have to do everything. You can hire a lawyer to only do paperwork or give you advice if you choose to do your own divorce.
How do I find a good lawyer?
Lawyer shopping can be tricky. Ads in the paper and phonebook don't tell you how good a lawyer is. The best way to learn about divorce lawyers is to ask people who have used them. Family support groups are another good source of information. Make sure you hire a lawyer you can trust.
Here are some questions you may want to ask about lawyers:
- Does the lawyer do a lot of divorce work?
- Has the lawyer used mediation before?
- How aggressive is the lawyer? Will he go too far and upset my family? On the other hand, will he be able to stand up to my spouse's lawyer?
- Will the lawyer do what I want? Don't forget, this is your divorce. You are the boss.
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