Should you consider a DIY divorce?

You might ask yourself that question if you're about to initiate a divorce, in the middle of one, or if you might see one down the road.  Some reasons to consider a DIY divorce might seem they're like legitimate ones. You might not have been married very long, for example, or you may not have bought a house together. You never opened joint accounts, or may not have children.  

Having kept relatively separate lives while you were married, you might well assume that a separation through divorce is, similarly, not a complicated matter.  Certainly, you don't imagine yourself as someone with a life so complex that you need an attorney to sort it all out.   

In addition, the desire to "DIY," from home improvement to financial and estate planning, seems to be more and more a part of life these days.  In your effort to minimize the disruption you perceive a divorce to represent to yourself you might be tempted to leave a lawyer out of it and "DIY".  

So what could a single-focus divorce attorney for men know, or tell you, that you may not have already figured out yourself?  For starters, a lawyer might rightly advise you that divorcing a partner is never as simple as picking your own stocks, fixing your own car or even renovating a bathroom. And not because the law is so complicated -- often, it's not -- or because courts are inaccessible to the common man -- according to the Constitution of the United States, they must be perfectly accessible.  

So why engage a divorce attorney for men in Jacksonville, Boca Raton, Gainesville, Fleming Island or Daytona?  A DIY divorce is a risk to you because divorce is always more than a legal procedure for you and your partner.  It is also an emotional experience.  As a result, it won't be entirely a rational process, for you or for her.  And as when anything - even a legal procedure - turns emotional, its outcome and its consequences become difficult, or even impossible, to predict by yourself.

Even if you don't own a house together, for example, there's probably still a home brimming with contentious possessions, not to mention an automobile or two -- you must divide with satisfaction on both sides. No matter if you have been an exceptional spouse, are you ready to put a hard price tag on alimony payments that will reduce your income into the foreseeable future?  

Underestimating the emotional cost to a divorce is also too easy. There are more unknowns than you imagine, no matter what plan you've worked out with your spouse ahead of actually filing.  Are you prepared to feel an unexpected possessiveness toward an heirloom, prepared to risk garnishment of wages because of a misunderstanding?  Do you understand what it means to follow not just the spirit of an agreement, but the letter of the law?

As a man, you appreciate professionalism - whether in tradesmen, athletes, doctors or lawyers.  If there were ever a time in your life when you needed professional advice - rational, dispassionate advice from the beginning of the divorce process to the end - that time is now.

Kenny Leigh and Associates is a divorce attorney for men only in Boca Raton, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Fleming Island and Daytona.  Our focus is family law with a singular focus on representing men.  We are ready to serve you.  Be sure to contact Kenny Leigh and Associates if you have any questions about a DIY divorce, and certainly before you take any step toward divorce.

Going through a divorce can be one of the most devastating and personally challenging experiences in life. The mental and emotional preparation required to make it through can feel overwhelming at times. This is why it is so important to be fully prepared before your appointment with the divorce lawyer.

Prenuptial agreements were the norm till a few years back. However these days many couples opt for a postnuptial agreement in a bid to stop fighting about money. Rather than talk about just division of assets in case the couple splits up, a postnuptial agreement typically also sets out clearly the financial responsibility of the couple and how they divide their incomes, who pays for what and who saves for what. For instance, one might save for the kids’ college while the other saves for holidays or post retirement plans. Postnuptial agreements are referred to as separation agreements when they are entered into for the purpose of divorce or when divorce is imminent.

Divorce is hard, whether you’ve been married for just a few years or for decades. Inevitably, there is a sense of having failed, followed by feelings of bitterness, blame, and betrayal. This might lead to a breakdown on the couple’s ability to come to an amicable settlement of property, alimony, and childcare issues.

Statistics show that almost half of all marriages end in divorce. That is why society has slowly come to accept non-traditional relationships where the dissolution might not have the same impact. Yet some couples decide to opt for legal separation rather than heading for a divorce. The reason might be religious sentiment, family pressure, tax benefits, social security credits, health insurance benefits, or children’s security. Regardless of the reason that leads you to legal separation instead of divorce, it is important that you’re aware of facts and the difference between divorce and legal separation before you sign the document.