Dealing with the decision to divorce your spouse is never simple or easy. Utah is one of the few states that allow for both no-fault and fault-based divorces. If you and your spouse have irreconcilable differences, that’s a reason enough to get a divorce in Utah, provided you fulfill the residency requirements. Either you or your spouse must be living in the state for a minimum of three months before starting the proceedings. Here comes the big question – Should you lawyer up? Here’s why hiring a Sandy divorce attorney is worth the money spent.
Understanding the complications
There are couples who decide to file for divorce and don’t have much to worry about because they agree on key things or have a prenuptial agreement. However, in the real world, things are rarely that simple. Signs that you need a lawyer include –
- You and your spouse have considerable marital assets
- There are minor children involved
- You are fighting for child custody
- There is no room for discussion, or you are not on talking terms with your spouse
- Your spouse has hired an attorney
In Utah, the same lawyer cannot work for both spouses because there would be an obvious conflict of interest. If your spouse has lawyered up, it’s evident that they want to protect their interests and wouldn’t mind taking the legal battle ahead. It would help if you did the same.
Lawyers understand complications better
You don’t need any lawyer for your divorce, but a lawyer specializing in family law. They have probably handled hundreds of cases and know what it takes to represent you. Lawyers also know how to negotiate. Leaving crucial decisions to the discretion of the court in a divorce is never a wise idea, mainly because the outcome could be different from what you may have wanted. When you hire an attorney, they can talk to your spouse or their attorney and try to mediate so that key issues can be resolved through discussions.
The cost of lawyering up
Most law firms would be happy to offer a free consultation with their divorce lawyers. It is worth paying, even if you need to pay a nominal fee to discuss your divorce with an experienced attorney. Also, family lawyers usually charge by the hour in Utah, and you can expect to get a rough estimate in advance.
Don’t let your emotions ruin your decisions concerning the divorce. Call your lawyer today.
