Why Standard Divorce Forms May be More Costly than Hiring an Attorney
January 9, 2012 By The Gilmet Law Firm
If you are thinking of downloading a standard divorce form instead of hiring an experienced divorce attorney you must read this article. Many times downloading standard divorce forms may result in higher expenses than simply hiring an attorney from the onset.
If you Google “Free Divorce Forms in Texas” you will find over 1,630,000 results. If you Google “uncontested divorce” you are provided several links to numerous sites promising to provide you with free divorce forms and minimizing the importance of hiring an attorney. While you and your significant other may have indeed reached an agreement as it pertains to your divorce and separation of assets both must be weary of utilizing standard divorce forms.
Most websites advertising standard divorce forms fail to mention that the complexities associated with filing for your own divorce and creating a final divorce decree. Most individuals realize the standard divorce forms shortcomings soon after downloading the form. Once the form is downloaded, many individuals are faced with unfamiliar terminology and a lack of guidance on how to complete this “easy standard” form. Moreover, despite the websites guarantee of providing a tailored specific form many individuals realize that the form is not tailored to their specific needs and is unlikely to reflect the agreed upon terms.
Not only are couples faced with the above-mentioned problems when downloading standard divorce forms but they also required to navigate through the complicated divorce filing procedures imposed by the courts. Many times couples attempt to file a divorce petition utilizing the standard divorce packets and too soon find out that their petition is dismissed for lack of proper information. When this occurs, couples are denied a final hearing and are unable to proceed with their divorce. In situations, that the couple successfully files a petition the couple is required to enter a proper final divorce decree. In order to avoid future litigation, the couple has to make sure that the final divorce decree properly outlines the agreed upon terms and is clear enough to make their agreement enforceable.
The truth of the matter is that standard divorce forms are not a substitute for the legal guidance and support an experienced divorce attorney may provide. At times, obtaining a standard divorce form may be more costly than simply hiring an attorney from the onset. An experience divorce attorney in Houston, will be able to provide the parties with proper guidance regarding issues such as child visitation and access, spousal support, taxation, and division of retirement benefits and community property.
Hiring an experience Houston divorce attorney can eliminate the risks of having a divorce petition being dismissed for lack of prosecution and/or a final divorce decree not properly setting out the agreed upon terms. Hiring an experience divorce attorney can also help avoid and/or minimize the risk of future litigation by properly setting out the agreed upon terms in a final divorce decree.
Several law firms in Houston provide couples with reasonable rates for uncontested divorces. The range of services offered by these law firms includes packages raging from limited scope representation to full representation. The range of services allows couples to keep their costs down while not compromising the legal guidance needed for a divorce. For instance, if a couple would prefer to file for their divorce and represent themselves during a divorce proceeding they may opt for a limited scope representation. Limited scope representation allows for pro se representation while providing the couple, for a fixed fee all necessary documents such as the divorce petition, waiver of service and a final divorce decree. If the client prefers to opt for full representation, having an attorney represent them during the court proceedings as well as drafting all necessary documents. The advantages of hiring a knowledgeable attorney during an uncontested divorce far outweighs the cost saving advantage that may be advertised by the standard divorce forms.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Yexenia Gilmet, Attorney at Law
Yexenia Gilmet is an experienced divorce attorney serving Harris County, Ft. Bend County and Montgomery County. Call The Gilmet Law Firm for a 30 minute free consultation.
Copyright The Gilmet Law Firm
More information about The Gilmet Law Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
Most websites advertising standard divorce forms fail to mention that the complexities associated with filing for your own divorce and creating a final divorce decree. Most individuals realize the standard divorce forms shortcomings soon after downloading the form. Once the form is downloaded, many individuals are faced with unfamiliar terminology and a lack of guidance on how to complete this “easy standard” form. Moreover, despite the websites guarantee of providing a tailored specific form many individuals realize that the form is not tailored to their specific needs and is unlikely to reflect the agreed upon terms.
Not only are couples faced with the above-mentioned problems when downloading standard divorce forms but they also required to navigate through the complicated divorce filing procedures imposed by the courts. Many times couples attempt to file a divorce petition utilizing the standard divorce packets and too soon find out that their petition is dismissed for lack of proper information. When this occurs, couples are denied a final hearing and are unable to proceed with their divorce. In situations, that the couple successfully files a petition the couple is required to enter a proper final divorce decree. In order to avoid future litigation, the couple has to make sure that the final divorce decree properly outlines the agreed upon terms and is clear enough to make their agreement enforceable.
The truth of the matter is that standard divorce forms are not a substitute for the legal guidance and support an experienced divorce attorney may provide. At times, obtaining a standard divorce form may be more costly than simply hiring an attorney from the onset. An experience divorce attorney in Houston, will be able to provide the parties with proper guidance regarding issues such as child visitation and access, spousal support, taxation, and division of retirement benefits and community property.
Hiring an experience Houston divorce attorney can eliminate the risks of having a divorce petition being dismissed for lack of prosecution and/or a final divorce decree not properly setting out the agreed upon terms. Hiring an experience divorce attorney can also help avoid and/or minimize the risk of future litigation by properly setting out the agreed upon terms in a final divorce decree.
Several law firms in Houston provide couples with reasonable rates for uncontested divorces. The range of services offered by these law firms includes packages raging from limited scope representation to full representation. The range of services allows couples to keep their costs down while not compromising the legal guidance needed for a divorce. For instance, if a couple would prefer to file for their divorce and represent themselves during a divorce proceeding they may opt for a limited scope representation. Limited scope representation allows for pro se representation while providing the couple, for a fixed fee all necessary documents such as the divorce petition, waiver of service and a final divorce decree. If the client prefers to opt for full representation, having an attorney represent them during the court proceedings as well as drafting all necessary documents. The advantages of hiring a knowledgeable attorney during an uncontested divorce far outweighs the cost saving advantage that may be advertised by the standard divorce forms.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Yexenia Gilmet, Attorney at Law
Yexenia Gilmet is an experienced divorce attorney serving Harris County, Ft. Bend County and Montgomery County. Call The Gilmet Law Firm for a 30 minute free consultation.
Copyright The Gilmet Law Firm
More information about The Gilmet Law Firm
View all articles published by The Gilmet Law Firm
Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, it is not intended to provide legal advice as individual situations will differ and should be discussed with an expert and/or lawyer. For specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics, please contact the author.
