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Can I Represent Myself In A Florida Divorce?

AloneFight

It’s never fun to think about divorce. If you are facing the prospect of divorce, you may be overwhelmed by the idea of deconstructing the life and marriage that you have worked so hard to build. Having to pay an attorney on top of that may be like adding salt to a wound. However, many have learned the hard way that the money paid to a divorce attorney will be well worth the investment. While you are not legally required to have an attorney to represent you in a Florida divorce, you would be hard pressed to even find a trained attorney who would represent themselves in divorce proceedings. Read on to learn why.

The Dangers of Representing Yourself in Divorce Court

Divorces are a highly emotional and involved affair. It is important not only to understand the law and all available options and alternatives, but also to be able to keep a cool and level head. Having an attorney to speak on your behalf can aid in negotiations that could otherwise be very stressful and emotionally charged between you and your spouse. Your attorney has the emotional distance necessary to ensure that even when you are hurt or upset, that you are making decisions in your best interest. If you do not have an attorney, you may also not be aware of other alternatives to a traditional divorce, such as utilizing mediation or negotiation so that you can avoid stepping foot in a courtroom altogether. Foregoing representation also means foregoing the assurance that your divorce settlement is fair. Without the help of an attorney, valuable assets may go unaccounted for, which means that you will miss out on getting your fair share of them. The only way to know that you got an equitable divorce settlement is by having an experienced Florida attorney to represent you.

Ways to Reduce the Cost of a Divorce

For most people, the motivation for foregoing a divorce attorney is cost, however, you will be relieved to know that there are other ways of reducing the cost of a divorce that could benefit you rather than having detrimental effects. One of the most effective ways to reduce the cost of a divorce is by utilizing mediation. Mediation uses a neutral third-party mediator to help the parties work toward mutually agreeable resolutions for their divorce agreement. This can negate or limit the need for courtroom litigation. Ultimately, the more you are able to agree on with your spouse, the less costly your divorce will be. For this reason, negotiating with the help of counsel can also be an effective means of reducing the cost of a divorce. It is also important for both you and your spouse to share the goal of preserving your marital assets instead of wasting money on litigation as a means of processing resentment or anger about the divorce.

Contact Bubley & Bubley, P.A. in Hillsborough County, Florida

If you are considering divorce, it’s important to have dedicated legal representation on your side. Contact the Tampa divorce attorneys at Bubley & Bubley, P.A. today to schedule a consultation.

By submitting this form I acknowledge that form submissions via this website do not create an attorney-client relationship, and any information I send is not protected by attorney-client privilege.

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