Three Potential Problems with Do-it-Yourself Divorces in Illinois

 Posted on February 03, 2022 in Family Law

An overabundance of legal information and legal software services may make it seem as though getting a divorce in Illinois is a straightforward process that can be mostly done online. Do-it-yourself (DIY) divorce offers the promise of a quick, inexpensive alternative to hiring divorce attorneys and battling out your differences in court. 

For many couples, however, things turn out to be more complicated than they initially seem. Even when spouses agree on most major divorce issues, they may get stuck negotiating financial issues like spousal maintenance or child support. Or one spouse may be surprised to learn that their partner felt coerced into signing a prenuptial agreement and now disagrees with its terms. Whatever the issue, DIY divorce can often present more problems than solutions. Here are three common issues people run into with DIY divorces.

The Tone of Your Divorce Can Change While it is Ongoing

Spouses who respect each other may initially agree to pursue mediation and resolve everything as peacefully as possible. During the actual negotiations, however, the worst in people may come out - and a peaceful divorce can quickly escalate into something much more hostile. Not having an attorney to advise you and make sure you are getting a fair deal could position you for long-term setbacks once a divorce is finalized. 

Divorce Laws Change

Many available resources are outdated or provide inaccurate or incomplete information. Divorce laws change frequently and books and websites about divorce may not tell you everything you need to know. Parsing the law itself can be complex and subject to interpretation, and it seems as though there is an exception to every rule. 

You Still Have to Appear Before a Judge

Many couples who pursue DIY divorces hope to minimize the number of times they will have to appear in court together. What they may not realize is that, especially when there are children involved, a judge has to review and approve parenting plans, child support arrangements, and marital property division agreements. While spouses who have never gotten divorced may resort to hoping for the best, an experienced attorney has a good idea about whether a certain divorce agreement is likely to be approved by a court. 

Call a Hinsdale Divorce Lawyer

Unanticipated complications can draw out your divorce and make it more expensive. Even if you believe you can handle most of your divorce yourself, consider hiring an experienced DuPage County divorce attorney with Law Office of Martoccio & Martoccio to support you and offer sound, knowledgeable legal advice throughout the process. We will do our best to tailor our services to your needs. Call us today at 630-920-8855 to schedule your free, confidential consultation. 

Source: 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=075000050HPt%2E+IV&ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=3900000&SeqEnd=5400000