Law

Get a Divorce in Connecticut | Do It Yourself vs Hire an Attorney

The divorce process can be a highly complicated ordeal that requires lots of time and money. It can be further amplified by a need to make difficult choices. For example, how to proceed with your case if you decide to file for divorce.

Nowadays, family law in every state provides various options for people depending on their circumstances. This article will explore two specific ways for getting a divorce in Connecticut: do it yourself and hire an attorney.

General Information to Consider

Connecticut is a “no-fault” state, meaning that one of the partners can launch the divorce process by stating that the marriage is broken irretrievably and there is no chance of repairing it.

As for the fault-based cases, grounds for divorce are:

  • Adultery;
  • Fraudulent contract;
  • Desertion for at least one year with neglect of duty;
  • Separation for at least 18 months before filing for divorce;
  • Seven years’ absence without any contact from the absent party;
  • Alcohol/drug abuse;
  • Physical/psychological abuse;
  • Imprisonment for at least one year;
  • Confinement to a mental facility for at least five years within a period of six years before filing for divorce.

Ask Yourself These Questions

Before going deeper into the topic of DIY divorce vs. hiring an attorney, ask yourself several questions. Do you have a limited budget? Can you come to an agreement with your partner regarding important matters?

Do It Yourself

The state of Connecticut provides technical possibilities and guidance to individuals choosing to go with the DIY divorce scenario. However, it is crucial to understand that this path works only for couples who can reach an agreement on things such as child custody, spousal support, property division, etc. If they can find common ground, the couple qualifies for an uncontested divorce and can go the DIY way.

Pros

One of the most important benefits of filing for divorce without an attorney is the fact that spouses can save a lot of money. Typically, lawyers are paid on an hourly basis, putting the cost of divorce in the thousands of dollars.

As for DIY divorce, partners can do all the paperwork themselves or hire a professional online divorce paperwork assistance company. These companies provide clients with a platform to easily generate all the required divorce papers by themselves. Their services are inexpensive, and the court-approved papers are ready in several business days.

In addition, if spouses are going through with the divorce on an uncontested basis, the DIY method gives them control over negotiating divorce terms and planning the divorce process. This independence may be an important factor for some couples.

Cons

If partners are not able to reach an agreement regarding important issues, the divorce becomes contested, and the DIY scenario is not applicable. If spouses cannot reach an agreement on even one issue, they can’t proceed with the case themselves.

Moreover, a DIY divorce may require at least some legal advice from a lawyer. It might be a good idea if spouses are not sure about how to handle the documentation or lack professional knowledge about the legal peculiarities of the state of Connecticut.

In addition, spouses who choose to select and fill out divorce forms themselves, instead of using web divorce forms preparation services, can make mistakes. Thus, the divorce papers won’t be accepted by the court.

Hire an Attorney

Lawyers are usually hired when spouses are unsure how to go through the divorce process or cannot settle essential matters. The second scenario is more prevalent, and attorneys are necessary for contested divorces.

Pros

A professional attorney will take care of all the paperwork and other legal steps required to get through with a divorce. The chance of making a mistake due to a lack of knowledge falls to the minimum as lawyers have specialized education and expertise. It takes a lot of pressure off the spouses so that they can take care of other things.

If a divorce is following a contested scenario, lawyers represent the interests of their clients. Therefore, partners going through a dispute may rest assured that attorneys will do everything to make the best deal for them.

Cons

Time and money. Professional lawyers are not cheap, and this can quickly add up the cost of divorce.

Considering that Connecticut family law is rather specific, it might be better to look for an attorney specializing in divorces rather than a general practitioner. This means finding a good lawyer can become more challenging.

There is yet another aspect – psychological pressure. If one party hires a lawyer, the other one does the same, in most cases. This is where spouses might become highly hostile towards each other and dispute every little thing, further extending the time needed to complete a divorce.

Final Thoughts

As it is possible to see, the state of Connecticut provides all the tools for a DIY divorce, so it’s pretty hard to answer the question of whether it’s better to hire an attorney.

In the end, the choice of how to proceed with divorce depends on each individual case. Is the divorce contested or uncontested? Are partners able to do everything by themselves? Answering these questions can help you when choosing between these two options.

James Vines

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