DO YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY? That depends. If yours is a short marriage, both spouses work, no children, no property and you have the time to educate yourself, probably not; Self help books, paralegals and the courts may be useful. Unfortunately such resources are not a substitute for professional assistance the more complex the issues become. The more you have and the more urgent the need for relief is, the more complex the dissolution becomes. Knowledge, tactics and timing are essential parts of the process. There is no substitute for experience. The long term cost of making a bad decision can be enormous. Some bad decisions can be straightened out, unfortunately the cost to straighten things out could easily cost more than the cost to retain counsel and do it right the first time.
Attorney conduct is policed by California State Bar and local bar associations. Attorneys are required to attend continuing education seminars and most attorneys have errors and omissions insurance. I f you use an experienced paralegal, they should be able to do the basic paperwork, but there is much more to the process than checking boxes and filling in blanks on a form.
There are substantial economic consequences associated with checking the right boxes, completing the forms and taking timely action, it pays to know your rights and to do it right the first time.
If you appear in court without an attorney and are representing yourself, you will be held to the same standard as an attorney.. * Divorce
* Legal Separation
* Annulment
* Divorce - Jurisdiction
* Divorce - Automatic Temporary Restraining Orders
* Contested Divorce
* Child Custody Temporary Orders
* Paternity
Steve Dragna,Attorney at Law
505 S. Euclid
Anaheim,CA 92802
714-283-3100