Here's Why You Should Hire A Divorce Lawyer Even If You're Planning To Use Mediation Services
Using mediation services to get divorced can save you a lot of money, trouble, and stress when all is said and done. Mediation will help ensure that you and your spouse don't end up fighting about every issue on the table and dragging the divorce out longer than should be necessary. Using mediation services to divorce can make the process easier on the kids too. And while you aren't required to have a divorce lawyer represent you during mediation, there are many good reasons to consider doing so. Here are just a few:
Get Unbiased Support
One good reason to hire a lawyer when going through divorce mediation is to get the unbiased support you need to make rational decisions and compromises as the divorce process unfolds. Your lawyer will be able to provide you with support and recommendations based on experience and expertise, not their personal feelings for you or your spouse.
Unlike a friend or family member, the support you get from your lawyer will come from a legal rather than emotional standpoint and be in your best interest. You won't get advice from your lawyer that is meant to "get back" at your spouse or to undermine your children's wishes. In the end, you'll have the peace of mind in knowing that your lawyer is helping you make decisions that are fair and reliable for everyone involved.
Better Understand the Details
Another reason to consider hiring a lawyer before you start divorce mediation is to make sure that you completely understand all of the details that you're agreeing to and contesting. Your lawyer will thoroughly read any paperwork and contracts your mediator provides you with and help you determine whether or not the deals on the table are worth considering.
Your lawyer can also help you effectively negotiate issues so you never end up with the short end of the stick. With the help of an experienced lawyer, you should be able to walk away from your divorce knowing that you had full control over every aspect.
Be Ready for Court
If for any reason mediation fails, you may end up having to go to court to negotiate various aspects of your divorce settlement. If a lawyer represents you throughout the mediation process, they will already have personal insight into what's happened and be better able to represent you in court. Instead of having to play catch up and figure out what happened in mediation and where things went wrong, they'll already have all the information they need and will be able to quickly and efficiently put together a solid case for divorce court.
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