If you're interested in a Pasadena divorce, you might be wondering if you are required to hire legal representation. On television, you often see divorce lawyers arguing in the courtroom and hear stories about couples accumulating thousands of dollars in legal fees. If you have no hard feelings towards your spouse and few assets, you might be thinking you can just skip the attorney and handle things on your own. Unfortunately, this is rarely a smart decision.
First, you must recognize that filing for divorce has implications that can affect your life for many years to come. If you're younger and have children at home, you will need to figure out how to care for them as a single parent. If you're older, divorce can affect the date in which you are able to retire. Regardless of your age, filing for divorce will have implications on your income tax return due to the change in your marital status and household income. Having professional legal representation makes sure that you've given adequate thought to all of these considerations.
It is also important to keep in mind that you can't just hire one attorney to represent both spouses when you are filing for divorce. Even if you and your ex are on good terms, you are technically adversaries in the divorce settlement. Your interests will conflict at some point and it is not ethical for the same person to provide legal advice to both of you. When you each have your own advocate, you can be assured that your individual interests are being protected.
Aspiring to have a "good" divorce and remain on friendly terms with your ex is a noble goal, but one which should not be accomplished by skipping legal representation. People may marry for love, but divorce is a practical and rational matter. Think of the decision to seek legal representation as a sound investment in your future. Hiring an experienced Pasadena divorce attorney to handle your case is the best way to put your past behind you and move forward with the next chapter of your life.