No one gets married with the expectation of getting a divorce, but if you find yourself in this unpleasant situation, know you aren’t alone. The American Psychological Association found that approximately 40-50{4ff670bb91f5a71bed27471ead6462c9b16f5bdce5956c8330f96255c052ee42} of first marriages end in divorce, and the likelihood of a split only increases for couples entering their second marriage. So if you’re filing for divorce, it’s time to contact Houston divorce lawyers near you to ensure your interests are protected.

6 Reasons You Shouldn’t Go to Court in Texas Without a Divorce Attorney

1. Because Divorce is Emotionally Messy

Untying your life from your partner’s is bound to bring up a wide range of emotions in even the most even-keeled couples. Just because you and your partner have been able to keep things civil so far, that doesn’t mean things will continue that way. If you want to make your split as peaceful as possible, you and your partner should hire Houston divorce lawyers. Attorneys can help neutralize emotionally explosive situations since they aren’t personally involved.

Whether they’re getting negotiations back on track when a disagreement sidetracks them or reminding you to keep perspective when you feel frustrated and ready to give your soon-to-be ex more than their fair share, an attorney will serve as a voice of logic throughout the filing. When you hire a lawyer, you’ll know you always have someone in your corner offering an objective point of view.

2. Because Your Side of the Story May Be Overlooked

Each divorce is unique, bringing its own set of complicated circumstances. As relationships dissolve, it’s normal for both parties to do and say things that are out of character for them. Unfortunately, depending on how contentious the relationship was before the separation, your partner may try to use something you did or didn’t do to get the upper hand on you in court.

Standing up for yourself in court isn’t something most people can do, and if your soon-to-be ex hires a lawyer, they will have no trouble painting you as undeserving of a fair share of assets or child custody. The lawyer you hire will present the whole story to the court and keep your reputation from being tarnished unjustly.

3. Because Houston Defense Lawyers Will Handle the Paperwork

Without a lawyer, you’ll be left to handle filling out the forms for your filing yourself. Many of the papers you’ll need to fill out will be complex, and you may feel as if you’re buried underneath a mountain of paperwork throughout the filing. When you work with an attorney, they’ll ensure your forms are correctly completed and filed on time, keeping you from being overwhelmed during an already stressful time.

4. Because You Deserve to Get What’s Rightfully Yours

A 50/50 split may sound like a simple way to divide up your assets on paper, but it can be much more challenging in practice. Sometimes what seems like a fair division of assets can leave you at a disadvantage in the future.

Your attorney will review your assets meticulously, crunching numbers to ensure the division is as fair as possible. Remember, handling your divorce without a lawyer may seem like a way to save money in the short term, but it will likely end up costing you in the long run if you lose valuable assets, such as stocks or property.

5. Because Divorce Law Is Confusing

While you can look for information online and ask your friends for advice, there’s no substitute for the guidance of a legal professional. Houston divorce lawyers have years of education preparing them to handle your filing and represent you in court. Find out more about how a divorce lawyer can help you.

6. Because You Want a Fair Custody Arrangement

If you and your partner have children together, a lawyer will be a valuable asset during your divorce. Even the most amicable splits can get ugly when the subject of custody comes up in court. Suddenly even individuals co-parenting well together may eventually find themselves trying to prove the other is unfit to parent. There are also numerous aspects of custody agreements that a lawyer will help you understand.

Except in extreme circumstances, keeping both parents in the child’s life is usually best for the child. Unfortunately, sometimes one parent will try to get sole custody without a good reason and attempt to use their child to hurt their partner. Having a lawyer representing you during your filing ensures you will be prepared with legal representation if your partner tries to claim you are an unfit parent or seek sole custody.

Divorce will never be a pleasant experience, but working with a skilled lawyer can make the process less painful. While giving DIY divorce a try may seem tempting, it could end up harming your financial future. Make sure your interests are protected and that you have someone looking out for you by hiring a local lawyer to handle your divorce filing.