While you are not legally required to hire a lawyer, divorce involves property division, custody, support, and legal deadlines that can have long-term consequences. An attorney helps protect your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and negotiate fair outcomes.

Child support is typically calculated using state guidelines that consider income, parenting time, healthcare costs, and other expenses. A lawyer can help ensure the calculation is accurate and fairly reflects your situation.

Courts decide custody based on the best interests of the child. This can include factors such as each parent’s involvement, stability, ability to provide care, and the child’s needs. Custody may be joint or sole, depending on the circumstances.

The timeline depends on the type of case and whether the parties agree or dispute key issues. Some matters resolve in weeks, while contested cases may take several months or longer. An attorney can give a realistic timeline based on your specific case.

Legal custody refers to the right to make important decisions for a child, such as education and medical care. Physical custody refers to where the child lives. A parent may have one type of custody or both.