“A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.”
It’s an old adage, a clever way of saying “It’s usually a bad idea to represent yourself in court.”
It can even apply to lawyers.
Take the story of Anthony Zappin, a Manhattan lawyer who represented himself in his divorce case. According to the New York Daily News, Zappin wound up with a $10,000 fine last month for – in the words of Judge Matthew Cooper – using his law license “as a tool to threaten, bully and intimidate” those involved in the case.
This story is a good example of why our PA divorce attorney recommends that you shouldn’t represent yourself in your PA divorce case. A divorce can be devastating even if you have a background in the law. You need a professional by your side , one who doesn’t have an emotional stake in the matter.
And most people don’t have a legal background. Keep these factors in mind before you think about representing yourself:
- You’re probably not familiar with court procedure. You don’t know case law that could help your arguments, the proper way to file motions, etc. If your ex-husband or ex-wife has an experienced PA divorce lawyer on their side and you don’t, you’ll have an uphill battle ahead.
- You may not know what property you’re entitled to in a divorce. What if you own a home together, or share other assets? Dividing your property is something a seasoned divorce lawyer can assist you with.
- You’re likely don’t have experience in drafting things such as settlement and custody agreements. Like we said above, this is an emotional time, and the question of where children will be living and how often you or your former spouse would get to see them is something you should have professional help in answering.
The Bottom Line: Hire a PA Divorce Attorney
We hope all these reasons are enough to convince you not to represent yourself when your marriage is ending. The PA divorce attorney professionals law firm of Penglase and Benson can help you navigate your PA divorce case, making sure you get the results you need. Divorce is a trying time. Don’t make things worse for yourself by trying to go it alone.
Even if your divorce is amicable, a PA divorce attorney skilled in mediation is essential to ensuring that the process goes smoothly, and that both parties benefit equally from the separation process.
