When you represent yourself in court in a legal matter, you are said to be representing yourself pro se - Latin for "for oneself. While there is absolutely no legal requirement that you hire a divorce attorney, it is important to recognize that you may have serious financial and parental rights that hang in the balance of your divorce, which makes flying solo through the process a potentially dicey maneuver. If you are facing a divorce, it is in your best interest to work closely with an experienced Williamson County divorce attorney.
There Is Plenty of Advice out There
If you are going through a divorce, there are plenty of well-meaning people out there who have been through divorces of their own, have lived through a loved one’s divorce, or have watched a lot of divorces on courtroom dramas who are more than willing to give you advice. The harsh reality of divorce, however, is that yours will not be exactly like anyone else’s – and it will not follow a playbook. Your divorce is likely to come at you hard and fast, and without professional legal counsel in your corner, it is very easy to lose your way.
If You Have Children
If you have children, moving forward with a pro se divorce is simply too risky. Your child custody arrangements will guide your ongoing schedule with your children, and this is not an area in which you can afford to make a mistake. Further, the matter of child support, though based on state calculation guidelines, incorporates plenty of room for the court’s discretion, and your children’s financial well-being is not something you should leave to chance.
Your Case Is unlikely to Go to Court
While it is true that your divorce is unlikely to go to court, this has no bearing on whether or not you need an attorney. Ultimately, all of the following terms must be settled regarding your divorce (as applicable), and each is important to your post-divorce future (regardless of whether you settle them out of court or the court settles them for you):
Your child custody arrangements
The division of your marital property
Child support
Alimony
Even if you are able to negotiate what you believe are favorable terms without legal counsel, there are almost certainly factors that you may not have considered, such as tax implications. Because it is always better to be safe than sorry, you are far better off having an experienced divorce attorney help ensure that you are on the right track.
Do Not Forego Consulting with an Experienced Williamson County Divorce Attorney
If you are facing a divorce, Brett Pritchard at The Law Office of Brett H. Pritchard in Williamson County, Texas, understands your desire to keep your divorce as simple as possible, but bypassing professional legal counsel entirely is not the way to go. Mr. Pritchard has a wealth of experience guiding cases like yours toward favorable terms via minimal attorney intervention, and he’s here for you, too. To learn more, please do not hesitate to contact or call us at 254-501-4040 today.
RELATED READING