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How to File Divorce with and without an Attorney in Tacoma, Washington

On Behalf of | Dec 14, 2018 | Divorce

Deciding to get a divorce is a big decision; determining whether or not you need a lawyer to represent you is another one. If you’re on the fence about whether or not you need to work with a Tacoma divorce attorney during your divorce, consider the following information.

Filing for a Divorce without an Attorney

Filing for divorce without an attorney is very possible in Tacoma, and may even be recommended in certain situations. If your divorce is uncontested–Which means that you and your spouse are both in agreement about the terms of your divorce, including those regarding property division, child custody, and child support–filing for divorce without an attorney could save you money. If this sounds like your situation, you can download all of the divorce forms that you need to file online for free, starting with your petition for divorce and summons.

Filing for a Divorce in Tacoma with a Lawyer

Of course, not all divorce cases are uncontested; in fact, in most divorce cases, couples are in disagreement about what the terms of the divorce should be. While you have the right to negotiate the terms of your divorce with your spouse without legal representation, most people find that working with a divorce attorney proves helpful. An attorney will help you to understand your legal rights and where to compromise and can represent you in all negotiations and litigation if it comes to that.

For people who are unsure whether or not they are getting a good deal, so to speak, working with an attorney poses another advantage: an attorney can review a divorce settlement before it is finalized to ensure that you are not compromising your best interests.

And of course, an attorney handles all elements of the legal side of divorce on your behalf, filling out your petition, filing it with the court, ensuring your spouse is served, and more.

Advantages vs. Disadvantages of Working with a Tacoma Divorce Attorney

There are some clear advantages and disadvantages of working with a Tacoma divorce attorney. Some of the advantages include:

  • Review of all elements of the divorce settlement;
  • Representation during negotiation and litigation;
  • Protection from emotions or bad tendencies (i.e. an emotional spouse may want to use litigation to punish their partner; an attorney can help the client act more reasonably); and
  • Management of an investigation into assets, which may be especially important in a high-asset divorce.

Some of the downsides of working with a lawyer, on the other hand, include:

  • The presence of one party’s lawyer may automatically make the other feel threatened, increasing tension between the two parties; and
  • A lawyer’s services significantly increase the cost of getting divorced.

Call Our Tacoma Divorce Lawyers for More Information

It can be tough to make a decision about whether or not you need a lawyer. At the Alliance Law Group, we recommend hiring a Tacoma divorce lawyer if your divorce is complicated, if your spouse is hiring a lawyer, or if you want to ensure that you get a fair settlement. To learn more, please call our team today or send us a message directly.

CALL NOW: 253-300-2055