Post Detail

Why DIY Divorce Doesn’t Cut It

There’s a growing trend of individuals attempting to navigate the complexities of the divorce process on their own, lured by the prospects of saving on legal fees. However, this do-it-yourself (DIY) approach is riddled with pitfalls that can have severe financial and emotional repercussions.

The simple fact is, You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

That being said, getting all of the terms of the final divorce decree correct is not as simple as it sounds. You have to take into account each and every issue that comes into account not only right now, but also in the future.

For example, when there are minor children involved, you have to determine the parenting plan which will have an impact on child support. If you want to change either one of those in the future, there has to be substantial reasons to do so. We have had to fix a number of DIY divorce judgments on a regular basis, normally because there was language missing or whole sections missing from the judgment.

Further, in some situations, we cannot even fix what was missed. If the facts existed prior to the finalization of the contested divorce or uncontested divorce, and the judgment is put in place, it is possible that a judge will not entertain a request to change the custody schedule. This happens a lot more than you think.

In that likely situation, if you try to do it on your own, and miss an important provision or date, you may not be able to go back and ask the court to fix it. Remember, if you do it on your own, you have to follow all the same rules and laws as an attorney does. So, a judge will more than likely take the position that you agreed to this, and this is what was in the best interests of the minor children before, nothing has changed, so it is going to remain the same.

Navigating the complex legal landscape of divorce without professional guidance can lead to serious errors – errors that can be costly to rectify and may even be irreversible. Without a deep understanding of the legal framework, it’s easy to make mistakes in property division, child custody arrangements, or the calculation of alimony and child support.

Unraveling the Intricacies of Legal Documents

Legal documents are not your average paperwork whether you are attempting a no fault divorce or your divorce in Idaho is going to last years. Divorce papers are dense with Idaho divorce legal jargon and are often structured in ways that can be confusing for the layperson. A single misunderstood clause or overlooked document can be a recipe for disaster.

DIY divorcees run the risk of misinterpreting, incorrectly completing, or outright missing necessary documents, which can slow down the process, create legal complications, or lead to unfair settlements.

The Danger of Making Uninformed Decisions

In the heat of emotional turmoil, it’s easy to make rash decisions that seem right in the moment but are not beneficial in the long term. Making uninformed or emotionally-driven decisions during the Idaho divorce process can leave you at a significant disadvantage. Without an understanding of your legal rights and obligations, you may end up agreeing to unfavorable terms or overlooking crucial aspects of your divorce case.

In summary, the DIY route for divorces is a path fraught with dangers that can prolong the process, amplify the emotional and financial strain, and lead to unsatisfactory outcomes. As appealing as saving on legal fees may seem, the potential cost of DIY divorce can be far greater than what one initially perceives.