Do I Need an Attorney for My Divorce Case?

 Posted on February 04, 2026 in Divorce

Yes, you need an attorney for your divorce case.

Are you required by law to use an attorney for your divorce case? 

No, not any more than you are required by law to use a dentist to extract a tooth from your mouth or to use a surgeon to repair a torn ACL. You can try to pull your own tooth or to staple your own ligaments together, but you’re most likely going to end up with a lot of pain and suffering, followed up by hiring a dentist or surgeon to clean up what you tried to do yourself.

The issues in a family law case – divorce, separation, child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, property division, etc. – need the same level of professional help and guidance as does a medical issue.

You can try to represent yourself without a Maryland divorce attorney, but you’re most likely going to end up with an expensive clean up job down the line, or even some mistakes from which you can’t recover.

When Not Having an Divorce Attorney Can Cause Serious Problems

Even the most amicable divorce cases can go sideways very quickly. That being said, there are certain situations where not having a divorce lawyer can be more costly than others.

High Asset Divorces

You have significant and/or complicated assets and debts. You need a lawyer to make sure that all assets and debts are identified, valued, and divided fairly, while protecting your rights and interests.

Your Spouse is Hiding Money

You believe that your spouse is trying to hide assets or money. You need a lawyer experienced with the tools required to find those hidden assets.

You’re Fighting About Child Custody

You can’t agree on a child custody arrangement for your kids. You need a lawyer to protect you and your family from a bad custody situation.

You’re Married to a Jerk

Your spouse is domineering or narcissistic. You need a lawyer to guide you through the process and make sure your spouse doesn’t bully you into something you will later regret.

You Fight Constantly with Your Spouse

You and your spouse have a high conflict relationship. You need a lawyer to wade through the conflict to make sure you come out unscathed.

Your Spouse Hired a Lawyer Already

Your spouse has a divorce lawyer. You need a lawyer to make sure your spouse’s lawyer doesn’t take advantage of your lack of experience with the divorce process and laws.

Do We Really Need a Divorce Lawyer if We Already Agree on Everything? 

Many people believe they don’t need a divorce lawyer because they "have an agreement" or "are on the same page" or "can figure it out." A lot of people think having a divorce lawyer is a waste of money, that not hiring a lawyer will make their divorce quicker and cheaper.

That is dangerous thinking, usually leading to bigger and more expensive problems in the future. Why?

Your Agreement May Not Be Legal 

You probably don’t have an acceptable agreement. Just because you think you have an agreement, that isn’t always the case in the Court’s eyes. There are very specific requirements for a marital settlement agreement that is acceptable to the Court.

Your Agreement May Not Be Complete

You could have an incomplete agreement. An agreement that does not address every issue that could arise out of your separation and divorce means that the Court needs to decide those issues.

Your Agreement Gets Rejected

Your agreement could get rejected. Even if you get past the requirements of a valid agreement, it could still be rejected by the Court for any number of reasons.

Your Agreement Isn’t Specific Enough

Your custody, support, or financial terms are not clear. If any aspect of your agreement is unclear or subject to variable interpretation, you are going to be back in Court (or worse).

Your Spouse Has Assets You Don’t Know About

Your spouse has hidden assets and/or debts. There is a good chance that your spouse is not telling you everything. If you don’t address hidden items in your agreement, then you lose your rights to them forever.

You Don’t Account for Future Modifications

Modifications become much more complicated. Certain terms of an agreement can be modifiable in the future. If your agreement doesn’t correctly anticipate a modification, then that can lead to expensive problems.

You Make Mistakes that Cause Delays

You make mistakes that delay the divorce process. An experienced divorce attorney will make sure that things do not get delayed. One mistake in the divorce process can lead to months of delays.

Don’t Take Unnecessary Risks. Work with a Columbia, MD Divorce Lawyer.

Whether your divorce case is resolved by agreement or by a Judge deciding what will happen, the result will have a massive impact on the rest of your life, and your children’s lives. If nothing else, an experienced Maryland divorce attorney will vastly improve your chances of getting the best result for you and your family.

At DM Family Law, we have over 20 years of experience. We take a very client-focused approach to give every case a personalized touch. Call us today at 443-545-8100 and learn how we can help you.