Perhaps of all type of lawsuits in the United States, divorce cases take a significant emotional toll while requiring life altering legal decisions throughout the process. Your best hope of exiting a divorce case emotionally intact, and with your rights and interests preserved is by obtaining appropriate divorce advice and related personal and professional support, according to "The Complete Divorce Handbook: A Practical Guide" by Brette McWhorter Sember.
Types
Divorce advice and support is found in two general categories: legal and emotional or psychological. The American Bar Association provides a wealth of educational and informational resources. Therapists and counselors that deal with issues arising out or the end of marriages are in practice in communities across the country.
Court Services
Courts in most jurisdictions appreciate that people seek divorces without legal representation with some regularity, according to "NOLO's Essential Guide to Divorce" by Emily Doskow. Some of these courts establish self-service centers, resources that provide unrepresented litigants information and forms necessary to file and pursue divorce cases.
Time Frame
Your interests typically are bettered served if you access divorce advice and support before you find yourself in the midst of actual divorce proceedings, according to "NOLO's Essential Guide to Divorce." A proactive stance allows you to develop a set of strategies more likely to lead to the achievement of your divorce-related goals and objectives.
Misconceptions
A common misconception is that divorce resources outside of a courthouse self-service center all cost money. In fact, counseling and legal resources and services are available for no-cost to people who lack the financial resources to pay for this type of divorce assistance.
Expert Legal Assistance
You likely place yourself in a position to best protect your legal rights, and reduce as much as possible the emotional impact of divorce, by engaging the services of an experienced attorney. The American Bar Association maintains resources designed to assist you in finding an experienced, qualified lawyer. These resources include contact information for local and state bar associations, organizations that provide directories of attorneys in your area that represent people in divorce cases.
References
- "The Complete Divorce Handbook: A Practical Guide"; Brette McWhorter Sember; 2009
- American Bar Association: Section of Family Law
- "NOLO's Essential Guide to Divorce"; Emily Doskow; 2008
