| If you are planning to divorce and | | | | might impact your divorce and the |
| wondering whether to initiate the | | | | negatively affect the accords reached. |
| proceedings yourself or approach a | | | | If you want to avoid these flaws then |
| solicitor, read the following article. | | | | avail the services of a solicitor. |
| Certain pros and cons of either method | | | | Services of a Solicitor |
| are given. We hope these are of help to | | | | Couples whose divorce cases are |
| you. | | | | extremely simple can get the 'decree |
| The DIY Divorce | | | | absolute' themselves. However, majority |
| Almost half the divorcing couples are | | | | of marital terminations are not easy. |
| availing this option given the all | | | | If you have been married since long, it |
| pervasive roles internet plays in our | | | | is quite inevitable that over the long |
| life. DIY divorce is greatly increasing | | | | tenure you might have intermeshed your |
| in popularity due to the many benefits | | | | finances with your spouse. Splitting up |
| it offers. | | | | such joint accounts is extremely |
| Advantages of DIY Divorce | | | | difficult. Even if you run joint |
| The obvious advantage of this system is | | | | business with your spouse you might |
| the low cost it entails. If you were to | | | | share similar predicament. Only a |
| approach a high street solicitor the | | | | solicitor can help you. |
| divorce may cost you heavily. For, | | | | Your family might be holding properties |
| solicitors charge by the hour and the | | | | worth millions. Dividing such large |
| lengthier the proceedings the more | | | | possessions requires a thorough |
| expensive they are. DIY divorces hardly | | | | knowledge of the taxation methods. |
| cost you a fraction of what you might | | | | Alternately, you may suspect your spouse |
| otherwise be required to pay the | | | | is withholding important financial |
| solicitor. | | | | information from you. Approach a |
| The next important advantage is the | | | | solicitor to prevent getting cheated. |
| control you can exercise over your | | | | If you have children or if your spouse |
| divorce. By approaching the solicitor | | | | is violent and abusive, seek a |
| you also lose control over your divorce | | | | solicitor's help immediately. The DIY |
| proceedings. Such vital issues that | | | | divorce is not for you. Above all |
| influence you life should be in your | | | | divorce is an extremely legal issue. |
| control. | | | | Every decision or agreement you reach |
| The other benefit of using the DIY | | | | relating to your children or to your |
| divorce kit available online is the | | | | property are potentially strong to |
| privacy and convenience it offers. Legal | | | | affect you for life. |
| forms require some deliberation to fill | | | | Availing the services of a solicitor for |
| them up. Download the forms, browse and | | | | obtaining a divorce is the easiest |
| fill them up at your convenience. | | | | approach. It is totally tension free. |
| Though the system has so many advantages | | | | However everything comes with a price. |
| some of its inbuilt flaws dissuade some | | | | The fee charged by the solicitor is |
| divorcing couples. | | | | extremely high. It may be difficult for |
| Disadvantages of DIY Divorce | | | | quite a few people to meet this |
| The forms contain simple self | | | | expenditure. This is the major drawback |
| explanatory guidelines, yet couples are | | | | that is making people reach out for the |
| known to make mistakes. All incorrectly | | | | DIY divorce. |
| filled forms are immediately returned | | | | DIY divorce requires a lot of knowledge. |
| leading to a lot of time wastage. This | | | | If you are ready to spend the time |
| is an inherent drawback in schemes that | | | | garnering legal and financial knowledge, |
| necessitates self help. Moreover, | | | | then this option is right for you. Your |
| filling up these forms also takes away a | | | | case should be straightforward. You |
| lot of your time. Before you attempt | | | | should not have children and have very |
| filling them educate yourself | | | | little property to share. But, if your |
| thoroughly. | | | | marital situation is not as |
| You need certain knowledge about taxes | | | | uncomplicated, then you have to avail |
| and pensions before you can reach proper | | | | the services of legal experts. Though |
| decisions regarding asset distribution. | | | | they may charge high, their services are |
| Otherwise arriving at financially just | | | | necessary to safeguard your interests. |
| agreements is not a possibility. | | | | James Walsh is a freelance writer and |
| These are the associated limitations. | | | | copy editor. |
| The ingrained defects of the system | | | | |