If you are starting the divorce process, it is tempting to do it without legal help.
In the UK, it’s possible to go through the divorce process without legal representation. This is known as representing yourself ‘pro se’ or as a ‘litigant in person’. However, there are a number of challenges associated with representing yourself in a divorce case.
At Prentice Family Law, our divorce solicitors in Guildford will always be happy to oversee your legal separation, and will ensure that all of the stress and pressure is reduced for you.
However, if you aim to go ‘pro se’ what are some of the issues you may face? Here, our divorce solicitors in Guildford will explain.
Lack of legal knowledge
One of the biggest challenges of representing yourself in a divorce case is that you may not have a deep understanding of UK divorce law. This can make it difficult to navigate the legal process and to understand your rights and obligations. This is why it is important to seek out legal advice from our divorce solicitors in Guildford. We have the legal knowledge that you need to divorce with minimal stress and fewer complications, ensuring that you are able to get on with your life and oversee other aspects of the separation.
Difficulty with paperwork
Divorce cases involve a lot of paperwork, and it can be challenging to fill out all of the necessary forms and documents correctly. If you make mistakes or fail to provide all of the necessary information, this can delay your case or even lead to your case being dismissed.
So, once again, this is where knowledge from our team is helpful; we can oversee the completion of paperwork to ensure that there are no mistakes which can delay the process and cause complications.
Emotional challenges
Divorce is an emotionally challenging process, and it can be even more difficult to navigate without the support of a legal professional. It’s important to have emotional support from friends, family, or a professional therapist during this difficult time.
If you are struggling with the emotional side of the separation, our team can point you in the direction of a mental health team who can help.
Lack of negotiating skills
The majority of divorce cases often involve negotiating with your spouse over issues such as property division, child custody, and financial support. If you don’t have strong negotiating skills, you may struggle to get the outcome you want in these negotiations. Also, there is the emotional aspect of the entire thing that will undoubtedly rear its head during these proceedings, so you need to have an impartial negotiator fighting on your behalf. This will minimise stress and, in the worst-case scenario, will also mean that you don’t need to attend all of the meetings with your former spouse, as we will do it for you.
Courtroom etiquette
If your divorce case goes to court, it’s important to understand courtroom etiquette and procedures. So, without legal representation, you may not know how to behave in court or what to say, which can harm your case.
Legal costs
It may seem counterintuitive, but if you hire a member of our team to support you, you may end up paying fewer fees. This is because there will be fewer mistakes made that, if they are made constantly, can add up to a lot of fees. So, be sure to call our team to seek legal help as soon as you can.