When I meet with prospective clients one of the first questions I am asked is, “do I need a lawyer for my divorce?” This is a good question and it is a fair question. Sometimes it is a financial question. Sometimes the person sitting in front of me just cannot afford to hire a lawyer for their matter whether they need one or not.
Let’s look at some important aspects of a divorce case. First, there may be child custody decisions that need to be made. Just because you think you know what is in the best interests of your child does not mean that the court will agree with you. I have had a great number of people consult with me after they have a court order for custody and visitation and want to modify that order because they did not understand the legal process regarding child custody. In these cases, it would’ve been extremely important to have a lawyer negotiate child custody plans prior to obtaining a court order.
Child support is another important aspect to consider when deciding if you need a lawyer for your divorce. Although child support is a child’s right, most people do not understand the legal consequences surrounding child support. For example, they do not understand the manner in which child support is calculated. Additionally, people do not understand that a child is due child support until the age of 18 and in many cases the age of 19 if they are still a full-time high school student.
When asking do I need a lawyer for my divorce; child custody and child support are only two important aspects that must be considered.
Further issues to consider when deciding if you need a lawyer for your divorce will be presented in a future blog.
To inquire further about the question, “Do I need a lawyer for my divorce; child custody and child support issues” look for a local family law attorney who can discuss this process as it relates to your specific situation. In San Diego, contact the Law Offices of Brian A. Victor for more information on a child custody, child support and divorce. www.brianvictorlaw.com
