Yes. Among other things, each spouse should know their legal rights. Otherwise, one spouse might take advantage of the other accidentally or intentionally. Thus, even if you and your spouse are in agreement about getting a divorce, it is still important (for each spouse) to consult with seasoned and skilled Maryland divorce attorneys. If you have questions about obtaining a Maryland divorce, call us here at the Law Office of Robert Castro at (301) 870-1200. We are divorce and family law attorneys with offices in Waldorf, Maryland.

In Maryland, a couple can agree to get a divorce and then try and file a do-it-yourself divorce. Maryland courts have various template forms that can be completed, and there are certainly online internet companies that offer services to help DIY divorce filers.

But, frankly, DIY divorces are risky, time-consuming, and more stressful than your divorce needs to be. And, as noted, since neither spouse has a legal background, either spouse could be in danger of giving up their legal rights — accidentally or as designed by the other spouse. For example, a spouse can waive alimony, but should they? Are guilt and other emotions being used as a form of manipulation by one spouse or the other? One important service provided by competent Maryland divorce attorneys is explaining legal rights and obligations under Maryland’s divorce laws. This is one place where risk enters for those wanting a DIY divorce. The time consumption involves the required forms and information. Yes, there are template forms that can be completed, but they are long and not clear to those without a legal background. The same is true for other documents — like financial disclosures. All of that can be stressful in addition to time-consuming. Good divorce attorneys can get the papers completed in much less time and without “the hassle.”

In Maryland, a couple can also agree to a divorce via something called a Divorce By Mutual Consent. Again, this type of divorce can be done as a do-it-yourself divorce, but again, that is not recommended. The typical problem for a DIY Divorce By Mutual Consent is the requirement that the spouses complete a Settlement Agreement that must be filed with the Maryland divorce court. This must be filed in addition to all other documents that must be filed when seeking a Maryland divorce.

As with a standard DIY divorce, the Settlement Agreement is risky for either spouse without legal counsel. Do you really want to sign a binding legal document without at least having it reviewed by an attorney? You may be giving up legal rights. On the other hand, if you are trying to “pull one over” on your spouse, the lack of legal counsel could leave room for nullifying the Settlement Agreement on various grounds, including fraud.

In any event, it is generally the best practice to have your divorce prepared, filed, and handled by professional Maryland divorce attorneys. The cost is not that high.

Contact Waldorf, Maryland Family Law and Divorce Lawyer Robert Castro Today

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland family law and divorce lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD, Divorce lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD, 20601.