When you and your spouse agree to end your marriage, the path forward might not seem as stressful as it could be. In such a case, you might think you can manage this process and complete a do-it-yourself type of divorce. However, there are a few reasons why this might not be a good idea.
Agreeing to divorce doesn’t mean agreeing on everything
While being on the same page regarding the divorce can make things easier, the process of a divorce can still be complex. There are many details to address as you separate your life from your ex-spouse’s.
As you manage those details, you may find that you do not necessarily agree on all things. For example, what to do with the family home can often be a serious point of contention.
Self-help is only for specific situations
The level of your agreement aside, the legal aspects of divorce have specific requirements that can be difficult to handle on your own.
It is true that the North Carolina Judicial Branch offers a packet and self-help guide for people representing themselves in divorce. However, it is critical to highlight that the website explains when these guides should not be used. This guide is not equipped to handle:
- The distribution of marital property
- Parenting time, child custody and visitation
- Spousal support matters
It may help to review these guides to inform yourself about the process and even your legal rights, but it is often still a good idea to consult legal counsel regarding divorce matters.
Mediation may be the key
General agreement is not the only reason why spouses may wish to handle the divorce themselves. Often, the desire to keep things private and save money factors into this decision as well. Yet, as discussed above, handling your divorce on your own may not always be an option or even advised in many cases.
Resolving divorce matters through mediation can help you with all of those aforementioned concerns. Mediation keeps matters private, it does not cost as much as taking matters to court and allows you and your spouse to take the lead in all negotiations and decisions.
As we have discussed in previous blog posts, the steps you take in your divorce are not only ending your marriage, but they are also setting up your future afterward. So, it is important to approach the process with great care, and not only consider what will be the easiest.