The answer is easy: Hire a lawyer!
I know what you are wondering, isn’t a lawyer going to cost me money? Obviously, the answer to that question is “yes, a lawyer will cost you money.” But a divorce or custody battle has effects that will reach far beyond the period of time in which you are actively fighting your case in court.
If there are kids involved, the issue of child support will be present until the kids are adults. Hiring a lawyer can help ensure that you receive the full amount of child support to which you are entitled. Or, on the other hand, hiring a lawyer can help ensure that you do not pay more child support than you really should.
If you do not consult with someone who really knows the law, you could end up paying too much, or receiving too little. Even small numbers add up quickly. Let’s say that you do not hire a lawyer, and as a result, you agree to pay $25 a month more than you really should be paying. That is an extra $300 a year that you are paying out of your pocket.
The same goes for maintenance or family support payments in divorce or legal separation cases. If you are unrepresented, and end up stuck in an unfair arrangement, the money will add up quickly. Even if you are only paying $100 a month more in family support or maintenance than you should, that is $1,200.00 a year you are not keeping. Multiply that by 2, 5, or even more years, and you easily would have made back the money you paid your lawyer.
Do not be convinced that you can represent yourself as well as a lawyer can. Do not believe that the other party or other attorney is going to be up front with you about what the law really says. They are looking out for themselves. You should do the same. Hire a lawyer, and potentially save thousands over the long term.
Have a question, contact Attorney Hagner today.
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