Why You Need a Lawyer for an Uncontested Divorce
Divorces can be uncontested – meaning that you and your spouse agree on all the terms that you need to agree on before your marriage can be dissolved. Typically, these issues involve the division of your assets, child custody, child support, and spousal maintenance (alimony). If you have found yourself in this situation, you may be wondering whether you really need to retain an attorney to represent you. After all, if you and your spouse agree, what’s the point of spending the money on a lawyer?
Anyone Getting a Divorce Should Talk to an Attorney
If you are getting a divorce, it is in your best interest to speak to a lawyer about your case. Some of the reasons that you should include the following:
You Probably Do Not Know Your Rights
If you are like most people, you do not know the ins and outs of Illinois family law off the top of your head. As a result, you may not know what your rights are with regard to your assets, your children, or spousal support.
For example, you may think that any assets your spouse brought into your marriage are separate property. While that is largely true, you may not know that any appreciation of those assets is marital property, meaning that you likely have a property interest in them. For example, if the startup your spouse had prior to your marriage exploded after you got married, you likely are entitled to part of that business.
An Attorney Can Make Sure Everything is in Order
Divorce is a complicated matter that involves a substantial amount of paperwork. In addition, many of the decisions you make during the process can have unintended consequences well into the future. When you work with a lawyer, your attorney will ensure that your paperwork is correct and accurately reflects your intentions with respect to your assets, children, and support. Furthermore, your lawyer can advise you about potential consequences that you may not have considered.
Uncontested Divorces May Not Stay Uncontested
Finally, it’s important to consider that while everything may seem friendly now, it may not stay that way as you dig into how to divide your assets and parent your children, among other things. As a result, it’s good to be prepared by retaining an attorney who can advise you regarding your rights and how to proceed. In fact, retaining a lawyer may actually keep your divorce uncontested by acting as an intermediary between you and your spouse or your spouse’s lawyer.
Call Us Today to Speak with a Lake County Divorce Lawyer
If you are going through a divorce – amicable or not – it’s in your best interest to retain a lawyer as soon as you can. The lawyers of Denis M. Gravel & Associates are committed to protecting the rights of people who are ending their marriages and strive to obtain the best possible outcome in each case we handle. To schedule a free case evaluation with a divorce attorney in Lake County, call our office today at (847) 855-8447 or contact us online.