Do You Really Need a Divorce Lawyer in Los Angeles? –
With online legal forms and DIY services proliferating, many Angelenos wonder if hiring a divorce lawyer is truly necessary. While some straightforward cases might not require full legal representation, our 20+ years of experience show most people benefit from professional guidance. Here are the five situations where going without a lawyer could cost you dearly.
1. You Have Children Under 18
Why You Need a Lawyer:
– California custody laws are complex (Family Code §3040-3049)
– Parenting plans require precise language to be enforceable
– Child support calculations involve multiple factors beyond just income
2025 Reality: LA courts are cracking down on vague custody agreements, sending more DIY filers back to rewrite documents.
2. You or Your Spouse Own a Business
Hidden Dangers of DIY:
– Failing to properly value the business
– Not addressing goodwill or future earnings
– Mishandling QDROs for retirement accounts
Recent Case: A Silver Lake café owner lost $280,000 in potential buyout funds by using an online form that didn’t account for pandemic recovery growth.
3. Your Combined Assets Exceed $500,000
What Gets Overlooked Without a Lawyer:
– Tax implications of asset division
– Hidden assets (we find them in 38% of cases)
– Proper division of:
– Stock options/RSUs
– Crypto holdings
– Rental properties
4. There’s Any History of Domestic Violence
Legal Protections You Might Miss:
– Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs)
– Supervised visitation requirements
– Separate property claims under Family Code §4324
Critical: Filing errors can delay protections by weeks.
5. You or Your Spouse Are in the Military
Special Considerations:
– SCRA deployment protections
– Division of military pensions (USFSPA rules)
– TRICARE and benefit preservation
When Might DIY Work?
You might handle it alone if:
✔ No minor children
✔ Married less than 5 years
✔ Combined assets under $50,000
✔ Complete agreement on all terms
But Consider: Even “simple” divorces often hit snags with:
– Proper service of process
– Financial disclosures
– Judgment paperwork
The Real Cost of “Saving Money”
We regularly see DIY clients spend:
– $5,000-$15,000 fixing errors later
– 6-12 extra months in court correcting filings
– Permanent losses in asset division they didn’t understand
Our Limited-Scope Option
For straightforward cases, we offer:
✅ Document review ($750-$1,500)
✅ Coaching sessions ($300/hour)
✅ “Unbundled” legal services
How to Decide What’s Right For You
Ask yourself:
1. Could a mistake affect my children’s future?
2. Are there assets I don’t fully understand?
3. Is my spouse being completely transparent?
“I used an online service to save money. When my ex hid his RSUs, I had to hire Hayat anyway—and pay to reopen the case.”
— Recent Client, Westwood
Get an Honest Assessment
Not sure if you need full representation? Call (310) 917-1044 for a 30-minute case evaluation. We’ll tell you straight whether DIY is risky for your situation.
