What Are the Risks of a DIY Divorce?

 Posted on June 26, 2024 in Divorce

Thanks to technology, many tasks that require professionals have do-it-yourself versions. A person can use YouTube videos to learn how to build a deck. Accounting software can be used to file taxes. Entire films can be created by AI programs. Divorce, a complex legal process that sometimes involves teams of experts, can be done online.

But just because it can be done online, should it be? Is a DIY divorce as safe as a divorce handled by a qualified Texas divorce lawyer? A DIY divorce may cost less money than hiring an attorney, at least in the short term. However, as this article will discuss, there are significant risks associated with trying to manage the divorce process by yourself.

You May Miss Significant Details

DIY software can only take you so far. People who get divorced online are more likely to miss important details that a divorce lawyer is trained to catch. For example:

• A divorce attorney knows to look for certain signs that your spouse may be trying to hide marital assets, or what Texas law calls community property. These signs are not always the same and can differ for each divorce. If you use a computer program, you run the risk of missing those indicators.

• A legal professional can identify legal details that software might not. For example, an attorney can spot whether a judge might declare a prenuptial agreement invalid.

• Court decisions about significant issues like child support, spousal support, and property division are made based on many factors that differ from case to case. An attorney will be able to tell how a court is likely to rule in your case, which is something that a computer program will have difficulty doing.

It Can Be More Expensive

A DIY divorce might save you some attorney fees now, but it can be more expensive in the long run. Even small errors can have big consequences. When it comes to dividing marital debt between you and your spouse, for example, an attorney will be able to look for certain elements that can minimize your share of that debt. If you miss those details in your DIY divorce, it can mean being saddled with long-term financial obligations that are not yours. 

Furthermore, keep in mind that mistakes made now can lead to costly litigation later, which means hiring an attorney to argue in front of a judge.

Contact a Fort Worth, TX Divorce Attorney

Some tasks can be done well without a professional. As advanced as technology is, however, it still cannot truly replace legal advice from an attorney. Divorce is still best done through a Fort Worth, TX divorce lawyer who has experience. At The Law Office of J. Kevin Clark P.C., we have helped many clients navigate the divorce process smoothly and successfully. When we handle your divorce, you can feel secure knowing that no details are being overlooked. Call 817-348-6723 for a free consultation today.