Divorcing couples who agree on everything from property division to ongoing support, may want to write their own agreement to avoid the hassle and cost of seeking legal counsel. While completely understandable, agreeing to a divorce settlement without legal advice is not a good idea and can result in long term consequences.
It is always in your best interest to work with an experienced attorney whether it be through mediation or an uncontested divorce filing. Your attorney can ensure that you have all the information you need to negotiate a legal and enforceable agreement that both parties are comfortable with, one that is fair and stands the test of time.
Examples where a DIY agreement typically goes wrong is in the division of marital property and debt. Without full disclosure of finances, one spouse may walk away with undisclosed financial or retirement benefits that the other did not even know about. One spouse could be saddled with debt not realizing that marital property could have been traded to cover outstanding debt.
The importance of working with an attorney to ensure that marital property and debt is divided properly cannot be overstated. If mistakes are made and the divorce is finalized, it is very difficult if not impossible to go back to recoup property or other assets that were left out.
When you are considering a DIY uncontested divorce agreement, it is worth your while to discuss your case with an experienced family law attorney or mediator. Contact Probst Law Offices for help at 414-210-3135.