WHAT IS A DIY DIVORCE?

A do-it-yourself divorce is a divorce that a couple undertakes on their own. They submit all of the legal paperwork for the divorce, and neither party is not represented by a professional divorce attorney. These divorces are made possible and are now much easier due to the advent of the internet. There are online divorce services that couples can pay to help them out and guide them through the process.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A DIY DIVORCE?

There are many benefits to a DIY divorce that make this option attractive. First, they are usually quick, which is a huge help to couples who just want to move on with their lives. They are affordable because there are no divorce attorney fees to pay a professional. Furthermore, DIY divorces can make the entire divorce process much easier for both parties without baggage being brought up. DIY divorce is best for couples who have little assets and no children.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES TO A DIY DIVORCE?

A divorce in Michigan is complicated. There are a lot of laws and a lot of nuances you have to know in order to ensure your divorce is finalized as quickly as possible. Plus, if you DIY a divorce, there is a good chance that one party could benefit more in the final outcome than the other. For instance, child support and alimony can be areas that could suffer without a professional divorce lawyer to offer advice.

MISTAKES TO AVOID IN A DIY DIVORCE

There are many things to consider in a DIY divorce that you probably won't think about until after the fact. Not carefully considering all of the repercussions is a big mistake we see made in DIY divorces here in Grand Rapids. Another mistake is not doing your research. You may miss out on a huge advantage somewhere due to the fact you just didn't know. Furthermore, items such as future living expenses, the amount of child support or alimony required, and giving your ex more out of guilt are common mistakes the divorce attorneys at Sarnacki Law in Grand Rapids see frequently with DIY divorces.

STEPS IN A DIY DIVORCE

• Filing divorce papers
• Ensuring you meet the divorce requirements in your state
• Filling out all of the divorce papers accurately. These include the summons, petition, or complaint
• You can file your divorce papers online if allowed by your state

MORE STEPS IN A DIY DIVORCE

• Sign your petition or complaint
• Be sure to save all of your paperwork
• File the paperwork officially with the county clerk and pay your fee to file
• Prepare your settlement agreement
• Show up to your court date
• A judge grants your divorce

IS A DIY DIVORCE FOR YOU?

Only you know the particular details of your divorce situation and if a DIY divorce is for you. The divorce attorneys here at Sarnacki Law Firm strongly discourage a DIY divorce. Getting a divorce is a major life decision and change. There is so much at stake in a divorce, from dividing up property to child custody and alimony, that you should hire a professional divorce attorney in order to ensure you get the most favorable outcome. There are so many things that couples just don't think about when they get a divorce that you could end up forgetting major assets to divide or ending up with the short end of the stick. We offer no-obligation consultations. We highly encourage you to get in contact with our Grand Rapids law firm to discuss your divorce options today.

CONTACT SARNACKI LAW IN GRAND RAPIDS TODAY

From litigation and mediation to collaborative divorce and help with child support, our top-rated Grand Rapids divorce attorneys are here to help. We can help you with all aspects of your divorce, from parenting time and alimony to property division, child custody, and more. We work diligently to ensure you receive the most favorable outcome. We also offer prenuptial agreement help before marriage. Our compassionate team is here to help you through this difficult time. Get in touch, and schedule a consultation today!