A do-it-yourself divorce has gained momentum recently for those who feel they can’t afford a divorce or simply want to cut costs. But this fill-in-the-blank method is not catered to your specific case and could actually damage your case.
Take a look at this quote from Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente in a decision regarding the problems created by a woman who used an “E-Z Legal Form” to draft her own will.
“While I appreciate that there are many individuals in this state who might have difficulty affording a lawyer, this case does remind me of the old adage ‘penny-wise and pound-foolish.’ …I therefore take this opportunity to highlight a cautionary tale of the potential dangers of utilizing pre-printed forms and drafting a will without legal assistance. As this case illustrates, that decision can ultimately result in the frustration of the testator’s intent, in addition to the payment of extensive attorney’s fees-the precise results the testator sought to avoid in the first place.”
If you have a simple case that is uncontested, then it shouldn’t be that expensive to have it handled the right way, the first time through a reputable family law attorney. If, however, you choose the do-it-yourself divorce, and problems come up later, there is a good chance that even the best family law attorney will not be able to correct them.
Source: Do-It-Yourself Divorce Is Not a Good Idea, By Ben Stevens, The Stevens Firm, P.A. Family Law Center