No one wants to face the emotional or financial burden of a divorce. No one gets married with the intent of breaking up. But sometimes, it’s simply unavoidable. Divorce is common – though that doesn’t make the process any easier or smoother. Fortunately, there is a way you can get help during a divorce. You can hire an attorney.

A divorce attorney, or a family law attorney, can help you make your divorce simpler. With an attorney’s expert guidance and legal knowledge, you can get help during the legal process of ending your marriage and dividing assets.

Here are four reasons you should consider hiring an attorney if you’re getting a divorce.

1. An Attorney Offers Expert Advice

If there’s one thing a divorce attorney is familiar with, it’s how to handle all of the complicated issues that come with a divorce.

While it might be tempting to try to handle your divorce on your own, without a lawyer’s help, it isn’t as easy as it seems. You’ll have to face many difficult decisions, from how to handle custody going forward to how to divide assets to how best to communicate with your ex-spouse. And you won’t know what the right choice is in this unfamiliar, very challenging situation.

A divorce attorney can help you navigate all of these complex situations. With their professional knowledge and expertise in divorces of all kinds, your attorney can help you make smart, informed decisions. They’ll help you settle complicated issues, face financial challenges, and much more.

Additionally, an attorney who’s a professional in family law will know information you do not. For example, your attorney will know what the law allows and what it doesn’t. They’ll also know how to help you build credibility, correctly report assets, and understand the correct way to fill out paperwork.

2. Attorneys Can Prevent Costly Mistakes

In addition to offering you sage advice and expert insight, a divorce attorney can also help you avoid mistakes. When you try to handle such a complicated legal matter on your own, you run the risk of making steps along the way. You could file the wrong paperwork, incorrectly sign off on decisions you don’t agree with, and set yourself for even more legal woes in the future.

During a divorce, there are also two big factors that can lead you to accidentally make mistakes: a complicated legal situation and emotional stress. However, if you put your divorce in the hands of an attorney, you can eliminate these altogether.

An attorney will know the ins and outs of the legal process. This means there will be no mistakes or missteps. They’ll handle the most confusing and complicated piece of ending your marriage. And they’ll ensure your case is handled properly from the very first legal filing.

3. An Attorney Will Fight for Your Rights

It’s tough to fight for what you think you deserve when you’re facing overwhelming decisions about things like your children, your pets, and your income. How can you decide who deserves what when you’re so closely involved?

A divorce attorney can not only be a neutral third party, but they can also fight for your rights during the process. During your divorce, your attorney can lobby for your benefits and your rights, supporting you and helping you get what you deserve.

Divorce proceedings are often highly contested and also very contentious. According to USA Today, the issue of child custody alone is one of the most fought-over issues in divorce court. But how can you fight to have custody of your child if you aren’t a legal expert?

Hire an attorney who will be on your side. Your divorce lawyer can focus on the best interest of any children involved, and they can gather facts, evidence, and supporting documents to ensure decisions are made fairly and equitably.

4. An Attorney Can Speed Up the Divorce Process

Divorces can be long and drawn out. On average, it takes 12 months to navigate the legal part of a divorce – and it can take 18 months or longer if you have to go to trial. Because divorces are painful and stressful, it’s understandable that many people would like them to wrap up more quickly.

Fortunately, if you hire an attorney, you may be able to accomplish exactly that. With an attorney helping you through the process, you can ensure all of your legal documents and information are done on schedule, without mistakes. That will prevent delays. It can ensure your divorce is finalized as soon as possible, and that courts can make decisions without needing more time or more information.

With an attorney’s help, you can make your divorce final as soon as possible.

How to Find a Divorce Attorney

If you’re facing a divorce, you don’t have to go through this stressful process alone. You can hire an expert who’s knowledgeable in divorce and family law: a divorce attorney. With a specialized lawyer on your side, you’ll have an ally who can help you navigate your divorce.

A divorce attorney can offer guidance, advice, and years of expertise. And they can fight to ensure your divorce is settled as fairly – and as efficiently – as possible.

The sooner you enlist a divorce attorney to help you, the easier the process will become. You can begin building a successful legal case with their professional help. In order to find the right divorce attorney, you’ll want to search online. Look for lawyers in your area who specialize in family law. Read their reviews and set up consultations to discuss your unique case. You can also get recommendations and references from online sources like local or state bar organizations and legal groups.

With the right divorce attorney, you’ll be ready to work towards a finalized divorce and settlement.