{"id":351732,"date":"2020-07-06T07:50:02","date_gmt":"2020-07-06T12:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/divorce\/common-and-not-so-common-mistakes-to-avoid-in-a-do-it-yourself.html"},"modified":"2026-01-28T17:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T22:01:00","slug":"common-and-not-so-common-mistakes-to-avoid-in-a-do-it-yourself","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/divorce\/common-and-not-so-common-mistakes-to-avoid-in-a-do-it-yourself.html","title":{"rendered":"Mistakes to Avoid in a Do-It-Yourself Divorce"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Mistakes to Avoid in a Do-It-Yourself Divorce<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

\n

Divorce can be an expensive process, given the expense of hiring an attorney.  A do-it-yourself (DIY) divorce is an option if both parts agree to a fair settlement.  A qualified divorce attorney can help you avoid pitfalls in the divorce process.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

Before deciding to take the DIY route, research the process of filing for divorce in your state and consider issues that could become a sticking point between you and your spouse. Perhaps dividing up money and selling the house are easy to agree on, but you will need some help figuring out\u00a0parenting time<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are plenty of\u00a0step-by-step guides<\/a> available, but don’t overlook the value of getting legal advice from a family law attorney<\/a> to avoid costly and time-consuming mistakes.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe most important things are your children and your money,\u201d says Lisa Carver of The Carver Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina<\/a>. \u201cA seasoned attorney knows how to protect both with an agreement that lasts 18-20 years and addresses the many issues that may arise.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few of the most common and not-so-common mistakes to avoid during a DIY divorce.<\/p>\n

Thinking You Have It All Figured Out<\/b><\/h2>\n

Couples can misunderstand how “easy” an\u00a0uncontested divorce<\/a> will be. One spouse might seem relaxed and on board until finances come up, or they second-guess the parenting time plan after seeing how much they will owe in child support.<\/p>\n

Here are issues that even the most careful couples have often not considered:<\/p>\n