If you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, you may be surprised to discover you agree on most of, if not all, the terms of your divorce. Though this is not unheard of, it is rare for divorcing couples to work together and determine the terms of their divorce without court assistance. However, this does not mean you should forgo enlisting the assistance of a Los Angeles divorce attorney. The following blog explores why having legal representation, even if your divorce is uncontested, is crucial to this process.
What Makes a Divorce Uncontested?
In California, there are two forms of divorce – contested and uncontested. Generally, when spouses cannot agree on the terms of their divorce, the court must step in to determine the significant matters at hand, like child custody, alimony, and property division.
However, if both spouses can come to an agreement on these terms, they can skip the court process. Not only does this allow you to avoid going to court, but you can also keep the conditions of your divorce out of public records, it’s generally less expensive, and you have greater control over the terms of the split.
Why Do I Still Need Legal Representation?
Many assume because they can come to an agreement with their spouse regarding divorce, hiring an attorney for the process is unnecessary. However, this is still a legal process, so ensuring you have legal representation is vital to helping you achieve the best outcome possible.
Hiring an attorney is critical, as there is often considerable paperwork you must file and strict deadlines you must meet. When trying to balance your work life, personal life, and divorce, you can likely make errors that impact your divorce. However, allowing an attorney to handle these issues can help avoid unnecessary complications and delays.
Unfortunately, though you may agree on the terms of your divorce at first, it’s not uncommon for tensions to run high when it comes time to sign the final agreements. You may find your spouse suddenly becomes unhappy with the conditions of the agreement, which can be trouble. If this is the case, your uncontested divorce may become contested, so having an attorney is imperative to protecting your rights in these instances.
If you wish to finalize your divorce, having an attorney review the terms of the agreement to ensure they are fair and legally binding is critical. This is a crucial step in ensuring your divorce can move smoothly.
Though it may seem unnecessary to contact an attorney for a divorce you and your spouse can navigate on your own, as you can see, there are many reasons why this is critical. At the Zitser Family Law Group, we understand this is a complex emotional time for you. Even though you may have been able to come to an agreement, we can help ensure the terms of your divorce are fair for you. Contact us today to learn how we can help you.
