Why You Should Have an Attorney for Your Divorce

Dividing money, property, and debt in a divorce can be tricky. A divorce attorney helps you understand your rights, properly value assets, and negotiate a fair settlement. While hiring a lawyer may seem expensive, it can protect your finances and save you from costly mistakes in the long run.

Dividing assets, including money, property, and debt during the divorce process, can seem overwhelming. While some people think they can handle it on their own, not having an attorney can lead to serious financial mistakes.

Don’t Risk Losing What You Deserve

Many people don’t fully understand their legal rights when it comes to dividing your family’s assets. For example:

• You might be entitled to part of your spouse’s retirement account, even if it is only in their name.
• Your spouse might not actually be entitled to everything they are asking for.

Without a lawyer, you may give up more than you need to or miss out on what you’re owed.

What Is Equitable Distribution?

In Florida, property is divided using a system called equitable distribution. This does not always mean a 50/50 split. Instead, the court looks at what is fair based on each spouse’s financial situation.

Marital property and debts can include:

• Real estate (like the family home or rental properties)
• Cars and other vehicles
• Bank accounts and savings
• Retirement accounts and pensions
• Businesses
• Credit card debt
• Mortgages and loans
• Personal belongings and valuables

How Having a Divorce Attorney Helps

A skilled divorce attorney can:

• Help you understand what you are legally entitled to
• Make sure all assets and debts are properly valued
• Negotiate a fair settlement
• Protect you from making costly mistakes

You don’t want to find out later that you signed away more than you should have or failed to claim something you deserved.

Hiring an attorney may seem like an added expense, but it can save you time, money, and stress in the long run. A divorce lawyer helps ensure your settlement is fair and protects your future.

Zaneta Matthews is an Orlando family law attorney known for guiding clients through the divorce process with empathy and clarity. She believes that how a divorce begins can greatly influence its outcome and works with clients to set the tone for respectful, collaborative solutions. She is a member of Collaborative Divorce Central Florida and the Florida Academy of Collaborative Professionals. If you need help with your divorce question? 📞 Call Zaneta Matthews at (407) 630-8959 to schedule a consultation.