Some couples who want to end their marriages end up staying together longer than they may have wanted to because they can't afford a divorce. A dissolution of marriage can be pricey. Staying in an unhappy situation is not suitable for either party. Moving on and living as if you're single doesn't work well either. What happens if you want to enter a new relationship? It's not easy to explain to a new partner that you're still married. That's far too much baggage for most to want to take on. What can you do? You can represent yourself. However, make sure you understand the complexities of doing this.
Not Understanding Something or Being Aware of Something is No Excuse
If you are going to do this, make sure you know what you're doing. Study and read as much as you can about the process. The courts do not pity people who don't understand what they are doing, or who are unaware of the steps. If you don't have the time to invest, don't start the process.
Timelines to Meet and Documents to File
As with the above, the courts are strict about timelines and documents.
Times are strict. You can't miss one. If something is supposed to be submitted by the 2nd and you send it on the 3rd, you have failed the timeline.
Documents must adhere to the rules of the court. They must get worded correctly, must be signed, dated, and submitted. If you miss one thing, you start the entire process again.
It's smarter to have the documents professionally done for you. Dissolution of marriage, final judgment packages, and many other legal documents can get created for you. These get expertly done, so you don't have to worry about mistakes. Each gets personally designed to suit your situation.
Uncontested is Best and Easiest
The most straightforward cases are those that are uncontested. If both you and your soon to be ex-partner can agree on ending the marriage and dividing up property, you should have no problem representing yourself. It is an excellent option for those with no children.
Representing yourself can save you a lot of money. If you get prepared to put in the work to learn all of the steps and the timeline, it could be a good option for you. Having your documents done professionally for you will save you hours of work.