Divorce is difficult even if you are still cordial with your spouse. Going through this life-shifting moment alone can seem overwhelming and intimidating if you are not guided in the right direction. Our San Fernando Valley divorce attorney, Naz Ghazi, works with complex cases similar to what you may be facing on a daily basis. If you are in need of a legal professional to represent your best interest in divorce and you are wavering from hiring a divorce attorney, read on. It's important to weigh your options and use all the appropriate information and guidance when making your decision.

One of the first steps in hiring a divorce or other legal representation is to determine if it makes sense to go to court or try mediation first. Both types of proceedings can have their benefits and drawbacks. In mediation, both parties sit down together and discuss all issues possible, including the division of assets and child support, among other matters. It usually takes two to four weeks for the negotiations to be completed. If at all possible, you should schedule the mediation before you begin the litigation process.

Also consider that when you hire attorneys, you are assured that all proceedings will be handled courteously and professionally. You will know that your rights and those of your spouse will be protected. Unlike mediation, where each party speaks openly with no moderation, each party is encouraged to speak in a calm, respectful tone and with total honesty in divorce court. This can only end in one way: one side winning.

When you hire a lawyer, you are more likely to reach a result that rests in your favor. In divorce, the lawyer often seeks the court's help to get their client what they want from the divorce process.

In mediation, the parties try to settle their differences without the help of an attorney and then report their findings to the judge. If either of you doesn't think the other person will do a good job representing him or herself in the case, then you might want to try going it alone. However, an experienced attorney can help ensure that everything runs smoothly and that the court proceedings turn out to be favorable for their client.

Hiring a divorce attorney can be the best choice if neither of you wants to go to court and if you don't want to hire any legal representation at all. Court proceedings can be stressful, lengthy, expensive, and exhausting for everyone involved. Divorce mediation, however, can actually be quicker, less costly, and less traumatic for everyone involved than a prolonged divorce in which a mediator is used. By having legal representation, people who can't afford to pay for divorce proceedings can positively impact the outcome.