In an age of AI, and DIY (do it yourself) one may believe they have the wherewithal to prepare divorce documents and agreements without an expert attorney or qualified mediator. As an attorney and certified mediator with over 35 years of experience, I tell you it is not the case.

What you state or do not state in an agreement matters. Words in an agreement or lack thereof, can have long lasting detrimental emotional and financial effects. This is relevant in parenting agreements, provisions for support, and especially language needed for retirement assets. Understanding retirement assets – what is needed to ensure you receive your proper share, and that your share is protected in case of the death of the recipient is critical. I have seen so many cases after divorce, where I was asked to prepare the required court orders for retirement and information was missing, incorrect, or a necessary provision was absent and either litigation was necessary to correct the mistake or because of the error the client lost out. In most cases the divorce agreement was prepared either by the client themselves or another inexperienced or negligent attorney.

Another fallacy is that agreements can be agreed upon one day and changed the next. This is not true! I have also had to help clients correct support matters where the language greatly affected their rights. Sometimes I must give very bad news to clients that they cannot increase, stop, reduce, or change their child support obligations because of what was or was not written in the agreement.

This do-it-yourself lawyering also extends to wills and trusts. If your will is not properly written and executed, what you want or intend to be your legacy will not happen. Your intention to protect your family or friends, may not come to pass. Think about that!

 

I encourage you to invest in good legal counsel. It is well worth the money to protect your family, friends, legacy, your rights, and the rights of your children.

We at the DePalo Law Firm, and at the Mediation Center of Staten Island, know the power of words and artfully draft all legal documents and wills to protect our clients. We know “words matter”, and so should you.