DIY divorce
March 17th, 2008
This might sound strange coming from a service which helps people filed their own divorce papers rather than using a [tag-tec]lawyer[/tag-tec], but lawyers are indispensable. To that extent we agree with some of the concerns expressed by Amelia Hill in DIY divorces surge in wake of Mills case. Ms. Hill reports that many divorce lawyers believe that more people going through a divorce will now choose to represent themselves based on the example set by Heather Mills in representing herself in divorcing [tag-tec]Paul McCartney[/tag-tec]. This is what is referred to as a [tag-tec]DIY[/tag-tec] or [tag-tec]do it yourself divorce[/tag-tec].
The main concern, and the reason why lawyers are so indispensable, is that many self represented parties to a divorce do not understand their legal rights and responsibilities. This leads to either giving up more than they should do their spouse or demanding that to which they have no right, thus making the process more bitter and protracted then necessary.
However, this does not mean that you need to engage a lawyer in the traditional way – letting the lawyer handled the case as he or she sees fit from beginning to end. Instead, lawyers should be seen as important professionals who should be consulted as and when necessary. Once you have a good appreciation for your legal rights and responsibilities we highly recommend using the services of a [tag-tec]mediator[/tag-tec] to assist you and your spouse in coming to a mutually acceptable agreement on the terms of your divorce.
The use of [tag-tec]mediation[/tag-tec] to resolve their dispute can save you tens of thousands of dollars compared to letting a judge makes the final decision. During the course of the mediation, and certainly prior to finalizing your agreement, you should consult with your lawyer to make sure that you are fully aware of the legal consequences of what you have agreed to and only sign the final agreement if you are still satisfied that it is in your best interests.
Using both lawyers and mediators, each working for you within the specific area of their own expertise, is the most efficient and cost effective way to ensure that the terms of your divorce are in your best interests. Then, once you and your spouse have agreed upon terms, you can enjoy further savings by employing our service to prepare your Canadian divorce documents for you.
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