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Seeking Divorce? DIY Divorce or Solicitor? Pros and Cons

Read on to discover the pros and cons of these options before you make your choice.

The Do-it-Yourself Divorce

Whether you choose a DIY divorce or not, will depend on several factors: why you want the divorce, your joint assets, the duration of your marriage, and if you have children. Many people don’t want to involve lawyers and courts in such a personal process. But you should at least consult a financial advisor and property expert to assess the value of your assets. Be objective, for at such a time, you cannot afford to make mistakes. If your partner is pressuring you to opt for a DIY, you have something to be suspicious about. Get in touch with your local County Court for the guidance booklets and forms you will require.

Pros

  • A DIY could be the right option if the two of you have been married for a short time, and don’t have any joint assets such as a home or stocks. Or if you don’t have any children. The reason is simple. If you have nothing, there is nothing to fight about; nothing that needs to be settled between yourselves.


Cons

  • You might get manipulated by a vengeful ex and lose your financial assets. Even if you think your spouse is trustworthy, financial matters can get complicated.



  • If there are children involved, a DIY is a bad idea. Your children should matter the most in a situation like this. Both of you should be able to agree on the ground rules for how they will be raised once the divorce is through. Things like who they will spend time with and when should be clarified.


  • It is not a good idea to arrange a do-it-yourself divorce unless you have a head for figures and are good at paperwork. You also need to consider whether your situation is uncomplicated enough to warrant a DIY.


Divorce with the Help of a Solicitor

When looking for the ideal solicitor, it is best to go by the recommendations of friends and relatives. Or you could contact professional associations, such as the Resolution (formerly Solicitors Family Law Association) and, if you have children, The Children Panel.

Another option could be to visit the Community Legal Service of the Citizens Advice Bureau and look through the list of solicitors on their database. Just keep in mind that you need a solicitor whose specialty is divorce and family law.

The Internet has made life so much simpler. Last year, claims the online divorce provider, Quickie-Divorce, more than 15,000 people in the U.K. used their services. Quickie-Divorce is entirely solicitor-led, and the only one of its kind in the U.K. that comes with an ISO 9001 accreditation.

Pros

  • Obtaining your divorce through a solicitor is fast and convenient. And if you hire an online family law solicitor with a good reputation, all you will have to do is fill in an online questionnaire. You can begin your divorce process in less than 3 minutes!


  • The solicitor will do the rest – drafting and filing all legal documentation on your behalf, and corresponding with the court as well as your spouse, if necessary.


  • If you choose an online solicitor, you will find they are far cheaper than a high street solicitor. Plus, you save the effort of commuting to the solicitor’s office.

  • A good solicitor will be sympathetic and will advise you correctly, so you get what you and your children deserve.


Cons

  • Going the high-street way can cause frustrating delays since the process is normally lengthy.


  • You can get a divorce without making any decisions regarding the future of your children, or financial matters, but this can cause problems between husband and wife later on.


  • Taking the online route may prove tricky. Make sure of the credentials of the divorce provider.


You may choose either DIY or solicitor for your divorce, but even if you choose DIY, it will be wise to ask a good solicitor to check your documents and ensure you are taking all eventualities into account, and that you do indeed have a sound case for divorce.

By: James Walsh

Article Source: http://www.myaddirectory.com

James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you want to find out more about a solicitor managed divorce see www.managed-divorce.co.uk

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