Going through the divorce process can be an emotional time for everyone involved. If you have children, it can be an extra sensitive time in order to keep up appearances and protect your kids from the stress of a divorce.

Hiring a divorce lawyer can seem like another hassle – and expense – at a time when you are already juggling so much. But a divorce lawyer can be an essential tool throughout your divorce proceedings. A skilled divorce attorney can provide guidance, advice, and knowledge of Florida law to ensure that the process will go smoothly and with the least amount of stress as possible.

Here are 4 situations where you should hire a divorce lawyer:

1. You have assets.

The process of dividing assets isn’t easy, even if you both have already agreed to divide  things up 50/50. While it may be simple to divide the balance of your savings account in half, other assets, such as your home, cars, or retirement accounts, cannot be as easily divided. You will likely discover that you and your spouse have different ideas about what “50/50” means when you get down to the details.

2. You have children.

It’s in everyone’s best interest to ensure that issues like timesharing (commonly known as custody) , child support, and parental rights are correctly handled from the start – or you may be facing more complicated legal battles down the road. Your family will make a smoother transition to the next stage if everyone has a clear understanding about how things will be handled after the divorce is finalized.

3. The divorce is not amicable.

If one or both of you is angry or upset about the divorce, things can get complicated fast. A lawyer can help ensure that those emotions don’t complicate the proceedings or result in an unfair arrangement. The key is to find an attorney who has the same goal as you – whether that means fighting tooth and nail to protect your rights or helping you to work together to achieve a peaceful separation.

4. Your situation is complicated.

If you’re getting a divorce and your situation is complicated, you should hire a divorce attorney. An attorney will be able to sort through the complexities with their years of knowledge and experience to make the process as easy as possible. In situations of abuse, violence, substance abuse, or immigration complications, a qualified attorney will know how to proceed in dealing with these issues or refer you to someone who can assist you with those specific issues.

If you have no assets, no kids, and are separating amicably after only 1 or 2 years, then it may be possible to part ways without the guidance of a divorce lawyer. Otherwise, it is advisable to get legal counsel.

The law can be complicated and confusing. Depending on your particular circumstances, your divorce lawyer will know the documents you need to present and any legal precedents that may help your case. They can guide you through the laws and your rights regarding the division of marital property, alimony, parental responsibility, and child support.

With the help of a lawyer, you may end up realizing your specific situation is better suited to mediation or arbitration. A divorce attorney knows how to negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you get as close to what you want as possible.

While your lawyer can’t (and shouldn’t) guarantee anything, he or she will be able to realistically assess your situation and make recommendations and suggestions that will benefit you and your entire family throughout the divorce.

Getting a divorce with the help of a divorce lawyer can make the entire process easier for you and on you. If you’re going through a divorce, contact me today to see how I can help.