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Once you’ve decided to get a divorce, your next question should be, “do I need an attorney?” That decision can dramatically impact your entire future, so it must be considered with great care. In most cases, having an attorney is a good idea, but there are situations where you may not need a divorce lawyer in Salt Lake City.
Keep the Situation as Amicable as Possible
Your emotions will be running high in a divorce. However, if you can control your reactions, you might be able to reduce tensions enough to avoid hiring an attorney, or at least dramatically reduce the time they bill you for.
There’s a Lot to Know About Divorce Law
Divorce law is very complicated. Not only are the statutes intricate, but case law over many decades has created a huge body of precedents and unravelling the twists and turns takes a great deal of time and research. This is where an experienced attorney comes in handy, since they will have already spent a lot of time learning about the law and applying the sometimes obscure decisions where appropriate.
If you have some experience with research and have the time to dig through case law in your local law library, you may be able to skip hiring a divorce lawyer in Salt Lake City. The librarians may be able to point you in helpful directions (although they can’t give legal advice!), so don’t be afraid to ask.
The Facts of the Case Will Usually Require an Attorney
Regardless of how much time you have, there are circumstances where you’ll have to hire a divorce lawyer in Salt Lake City. If any of the following apply, you’re effectively compelled to get one:
- You disagree with your spouse on important issues.
- You have children.
- Your spouse has hired an attorney.
- Significant debts and/or assets are involved.
- The disposition of a pension or retirement benefits is in question.
- You or your spouse are in the military.
- There is a history of domestic violence.
Local Attorneys Know the Predilections of the Area’s Judges
Utah has a culture a little different than most of the rest of the country. An experienced lawyer will be able to take the regional cultural and religious beliefs into account, and will know how each judge is likely to react to certain arguments. Obscure facts that seem meaningless to most people can help convince a judge that your case has more merit.
A good divorce lawyer in Salt Lake City can help with all these issues, but ultimately, the decision to hire one is up to you. If you have any doubts, your best bet is to hire one; you’ll probably save a lot of time and money in the long run.
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