4 Reasons You Need A Divorce Lawyer, Even If You’re An Attorney

Lawyers (and non-lawyers alike) have the option of representing themselves during a divorce – but that doesn’t mean that it’s always a good idea. There is an old adage that says that someone – lawyer or not – representing himself has a fool for a client.

And to an extent, it can be true. While you may be an experienced and highly capable lawyer in your field, during a divorce it can be critically important to have an experience divorce attorney on your side.

As an attorney yourself, you provide counsel to your clients and dispassionate, realistic direction. While you can be rational and dispassionate in dealing with your own clients, this could be much harder to do in handling your own divorce, where emotions can run high. It is also critical to have someone representing your best interest who knows the intricacies of family and marital law and can navigate it all to get you the best possible outcome.

While each divorce is different, here are five reasons you should hire a divorce attorney even (and perhaps especially) if you’re an attorney yourself:

1. Divorce can be complicated: As you already well know, a ‘simple’ case can quickly unravel without the help of an experienced and rational attorney – and nowhere is this more evident than in ‘simple’ divorce cases wherein the foundation of the relationship of the two parties was laid upon one of the most irrational emotions of all – love.
2. You could avoid costly mistakes: If you forget to address a medical or credit card debt or if you under or overestimate the value of an asset, it could prove a costly mistake. If your marriage has any complicated issues to settle – assets, debts, substantial income, child custody, or future assets – an experienced divorce attorney can help protect those interests.
3. Reduce unnecessary stress: Divorce is a stressful time for everyone involved, but hiring an attorney to handle your divorce can serve to alleviate some of the stress. By hiring an experienced divorce attorney, you can breathe a little easier knowing your best interests are being represented, allowing you time to focus on yourself and your family through what can be a difficult and emotional process. We also recommend considering counseling as well as taking time to focus on your physical and mental health. Take yoga or exercise classes, or get outside and ride a bike or walk along Bayshore Boulevard or the beach to reduce the stress that can come with divorce.
4. Avoid delays: Though you may be adept and experienced at providing counsel in your field, marital law comes with its own necessary documentation and an experienced divorce attorney can help navigate and expedite the process – and avoid any errors or pitfalls that could result in delays in the finalization of your divorce. Hiring a divorce attorney helps you avoid issues or delays, allowing your divorce to be settled and finalized as quickly as possible.

Divorce can be hard. And emotional. You’ll be asked to make a lot of decisions that will affect the rest of your life, all during a chapter of your life when emotions may overwhelm your most reasonable intentions. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you navigate this difficult time. If you’re seeking a divorce, call the top-rated divorce attorneys at Anton Garcia Law. Lead by top Tampa divorce attorney Christina Anton Garcia, our family and marital law team is knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated to Representing Your Best Interests.