You can handle your divorce in New Jersey. The law doesn’t force you to hire an attorney. But think carefully about going it alone.
Did you get a simple split? Maybe you and your spouse already worked everything out – who gets what, where the kids live, money stuff. The courthouse has all the paperwork you need. You can file yourself and save some cash. It’s a smart move, though – have a lawyer look it over before you sign anything final.
Things get messy? Different story. Fighting over the house? Can’t agree on custody? Does someone want support payments? That’s when you want a pro in your corner. Lawyers know all the angles. They’ll make sure you don’t accidentally sign away something important.
Some folks try middle-ground options. Mediation can work – you and your ex sit down with someone neutral who helps you figure things out. Or there’s collaborative divorce, where everyone agrees to work it out without going to war in court. Either way, having your lawyer advising you isn’t a bad idea.
Bottom line: The choice is yours. The state won’t make you hire anyone. But most people find it helps to at least run things by a lawyer at some point. They might catch problems you didn’t even know to look for.
