Do I Really Need a Lawyer for a Collaborative Divorce?

Many spouses are attracted to the idea of a collaborative divorce because of the ease in which it can be carried out. Firstly, there are far fewer legal fees involved – and this largely a reflection of the fact that these divorces can be much quicker to finalize. In other words, you will be paying your attorney for fewer hours of work. But do you really need a divorce attorney in the first place? Is it possible to finalize a collaborative divorce without any legal assistance whatsoever? This is a common question in the modern era – especially since there is no shortage of websites claiming to provide “do it yourself” divorce services.

Before you throw yourself into the complex world of collaborative divorces, you might want to consider the facts. There are many important benefits of working with an experienced divorce attorney in North Carolina, and you might find that trying to do this alone is much more stressful than it is worth. Our family law attorneys in North Carolina can help with a number of important tasks, and we can ensure that your divorce is handled in the best possible way. It is best to get in touch with us and book a consultation to discover exactly what our legal professionals can do for you.

First of all, you should know that a lawyer is not necessary for every single aspect of your divorce. For example, there is nothing stopping you from communicating effectively with your spouse, even if there are no lawyers present. In fact, it might be a very good idea to start talking with your spouse about how you would like to handle your divorce, even before the one-year waiting period is complete. During these first initial conversations, you can start to figure out how you would like to handle matters like child support, child custody, and property division. If you agree on how these matters should be handled, then it is just a matter of hiring attorneys and putting all of these agreements on paper.

Even spouses who are parting ways on amicable terms can reach impasses during divorce negotiations. Spouses can be surprisingly stubborn about even the smallest details, such as who gets the car or the family pet. This is why it is almost always a good idea to bring in qualified collaborative law attorneys who can facilitate effective negotiations. These lawyers are specially trained to use effective negotiation tactics. These negotiation strategies can ensure that both spouses walk away feeling satisfied.

For example, most spouses think in terms of what they “want” when approaching a divorce negotiation. However, divorce attorneys may instead encourage spouses to think in terms of what they “feel.” This can lead to a much more flexible negotiation that allows spouses to walk away with exactly what they need to live content and happy lives post-divorce.

One of the most important duties of a collaborative divorce lawyer involves the divorce settlement. This is essentially the end product of the negotiations, and this legal document clearly lays out exactly what each spouse has agreed upon. Writing this document on your own may lead to significant issues, as spouses generally do not have the proper legal training to word the settlement in a way that is acceptable. Small mistakes can lead to your settlement being invalidated by a judge, and this means you will be right back at square one.

It is much better to let a qualified collaborative divorce attorney write your settlement and present it to a judge to minimize the chances of small mistakes. For example, there are many things that you cannot put in a divorce settlement – such as obligations for third parties or anything that is technically illegal under North Carolina law.

If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced family law attorney in North Carolina, consider working with Arnold & Smith, PLLC. Over the years, we have assisted numerous spouses in the Tar Heel State. We have considerable experience with collaborative divorce, and we know how to finalize this process in a quick, efficient manner. Working with a lawyer does not have to be overly costly, time-consuming, or stressful – especially if you have chosen collaborative divorce. Book your consultation today to learn more and take your first steps toward a favorable outcome.