Family law and divorce are some of the most common cases in the United States. Unfortunately, more and more families decide to divorce and officially end their marriage process. If you are planning to divorce soon, then this guide is for you.

We are going to cover everything you may want to learn about family law and divorce but especially the divorce aspect. These include the outlines of these concepts, how you can file a divorce, and whether you need to hire a professional or not.

Although divorcing may seem easy, it can easily get complicated when the parties cannot agree on the terms.

Family Law and Divorce Outlines

Family law covers a wide range of matters that affect any aspect of families. From dependents to inheritance, divorce to adoption, all these matters are covered by family laws. Divorce is one of these topics, which makes up most cases.

Today, family law and divorce are perceived as inseparable parts. However, family laws cover divorce and protect the rights of both parties while aiming to end a marriage that is not functional as it should be.

Although divorce can be a highly complex process, you can make it easier for yourself by following the steps required by the laws and government.

How to File a Divorce?

When family law and divorce are in question, the practices may differ. However, if you are going to file a divorce, you do not have to worry about any complexity. All you need to do is have the names and addresses of the parties.

In addition to this, you will need your original marriage certificate. If it is not in English, then you will need to provide a certified copy. For the last thing, if you have changed your name after you married, then you need to provide proof of your name change.

Once you gather all these documents, you can easily file for divorce. Some states may also require a filing fee.

Do You Need to Hire an Attorney to Divorce?

No, you do not have to hire an attorney for anything regarding family law and divorce. However, if you believe that your divorce process will be problematic. It may be in your favor to hire an attorney.

Most of the time, the couples who decided to divorce mutually do not hire any professionals. On the other hand, even if the case will be a problematic one, you can still represent yourself without hiring anyone.

However, it is worth noting that working with an attorney can increase what you can get from the mediation or settlement about the things that are directly related to your marriage. This will take place before the court.

Should Both Parties File for Divorce?

No, when family law and divorce are in question, one of the parties can file for divorce. In these cases, there will be a waiting period so that the court can notify the other party legally. However, if you both file a divorce, the process can take faster as well.

In case, both parties will file a divorce, then being the first one can have some benefits. For example, you can choose the location of the court and control the pace of the divorce. Some other benefits also include having a chance to make the first impression and asking for temporary orders.

Can You Handle Your Divorce On Your Own?

As we noted before, when family law and divorce are in question, you can represent yourself. In other words, you do not have to hire a professional. In fact, we recommend this for the couple who want to divorce mutually.

In this way, you can keep your money in your pockets. However, before doing so, make sure that you both agree to the terms of the divorce. One thing we would like to note is that you can always hire a professional at any time during the process.

Of course, if the case will be brought to court, having a professional at your side will matter.

How to Protect Yourself in the Process?

You may be looking for more information on family law and divorce because you want to protect yourself before, during, and after the process. If divorce is in question, make sure that you secure your valuable personal property first.

In addition to this, make a record of all the martial property. Never sign anything that may be given to you by your spouse or his or her attorney as well. Of course, in case of any domestic violence, you must contact the police.

One of the best things you can do to protect yourself is to consult a professional. Depending on your unique case, he or she may provide other recommendations to you. For this purpose, you can search for family law and divorce attorneys near me on search engines. This will let you find professionals in your area.