Why You Need a Lawyer Instead of Free Legal Documents

 Posted on January 01, 2017 in Divorce

The perceived cost of working with a family lawyer is why so many people try to resolve divorce, maintenance, custody, and child support issues themselves. They believe it will be cheaper and easier to tackle the paperwork and go to court without the help of an attorney. While some individuals struggle through the process alone and achieve their desired goal, most people end up spending more time and effort than they can afford reviewing free legal advice and searching for free documents online. These individuals also encounter a tremendous amount of stress trying to learn Illinois law and understand their local court’s rules. However, wasted time and extra stress can be avoided by working with a lawyer. There are tremendous benefits associated with hiring a DuPage County family law attorney that you cannot receive using free documents, including legal knowledge and efficiency.

The Law and Court Rules Are Complex

It is all too easy to believe you can handle a divorce yourself. When you are on a tight budget, doing so may even seem like a necessity. However, there is a reason so many people have trouble understanding the law and navigating the court system: it is complicated. Illinois law regarding divorce and child matters has changed in many ways in the past year and child support rules are set to change in 2017. It can be difficult to find accurate and up-to-date information online. Even if a portion of the law has been the same for years, it can be hard to interpret lengthy statutes full of legalese. Further, without the knowledge of how appellate court decisions have shaped the court’s interpretation of the statutes, you are at a disadvantage.

Additionally, once you have conquered your knowledge of the law related to your case, now you have to determine the correct forms and procedures for your local family court system. Do you know what information must be included in a complaint or form? Do you know where to file the paperwork? Do you know how to properly serve notice to your current or ex-spouse? Beginning a court case or returning to court for another family matter requires understanding of local court rules. You could waste a great deal of time and money trying to learn the correct steps when an attorney would take care of this for you.

The Benefits of Working With a Family Law Attorney

At Fay, Farrow & Associates, P.C., we understand your worry about the costs of hiring a family law attorney. However, before deciding that you can go it alone, consider the advantages of having a Chicago family law attorney represent you:

1. An attorney knows the law. Representing yourself and obtaining legal documents online can be helpful in some circumstances. However, when you represent yourself, you can end up in court with a detrimental lack of understanding regarding the law that controls your situation. Legal documents do not come with descriptions or explanations of the law or how it has been put into effect. While there are many legal resources online, they can be inaccurate or lack the depth you need.
2. A local attorney knows the courtroom and judge. Legal documents and free legal advice also lack details regarding case history on the issues or how things tend to work in your neck of the woods. However, a local attorney has this information and more. Through years of experience practicing in your county, local lawyers understand the strategies that work in certain courtrooms. Judges often have discretion in family matters, and different attitudes and arguments may sway one judge more than another.
3. A lawyer can build a strategy. If you represent yourself, you will most likely deal with one issue at a time. You lack the experience that gives you foresight into the overall legal process and the issues that can arise in the coming months. However, when your matter is adversarial, it is important that you have a plan for achieving your end goal as well as strategies for handling setbacks. An experienced family law attorney can explain the legal process regarding your matter as well as what you will most likely face in court and from the other side.

Call a DuPage County Family Lawyer for More Information

Instead of spending hours researching online and attempting to properly fill out and file paperwork, we can explain the relevant law to you, outline the overall journey you can expect, handle all of the administrative aspects of the case, and minimize the amount of time you miss work. You have enough on your plate without having to suddenly become your own attorney. Let us do the legwork and worrying for you. Call Fay, Farrow & Associates, P.C. at 630-961-0060 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.