Do I need a divorce lawyer if we agree on everything?

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Published on: July 29, 2022 | Jennifer Hargrave | Dallas Divorce Attorney | Divorce, Planning

A common question that many people have is when facing divorce is, “If we’re in agreement on everything, do we even need to hire a divorce lawyer?” And the answer to that is going to be, “It depends.”

Divorce is a legal process. You will have to file a petition in the proper county to get things started, and there are many issues that need to be decided as part of the divorce decree. Then the actual divorce decree is the final document that will need to be entered.

Here’s how an attorney can help:

  • When you go to finalize your divorce, a divorce lawyer is going to help you with the filing of the petition. 
  • The divorce lawyer is going to help you decide all the issues that you need to agree on, both property issues and issues regarding children. 
  • A divorce lawyer is going help you draft the decree.

Now, if you both are in agreement on everything, then you probably don’t both need to hire attorneys. You can decide between the two of you which one will hire a lawyer. Keep in mind, however, that only one party can be represented by one lawyer. So the lawyer cannot represent both of you. And that can be really confusing too. A lot of people think, “Well, we’ll just hire one lawyer,” but that’s not ethical.

If you decide to go this route, and one of you hires the lawyer, then that lawyer will draft the petition, take care of the filing, help you navigate the decisions and draft your final decree, and then submit the decree to the court. 

Can you do this process on your own? You absolutely can, and a lot of people will look into other resources. There’s a website called Texaslawhelp.org, which has all the forms that you need and can walk you through the e-filing process.

So yes, it is possible to get divorced without a divorce lawyer. But if you have any questions about your rights, about your responsibilities, about, for example, how one of you is going to buy the other one out of a house or how you will divide retirement accounts, hiring a lawyer can be really smart in the long run. The lawyer will help make the process much more efficient and make sure that the deal you all have agreed on is the deal that actually gets presented to the court.

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Hargrave Family Law – Compassionate Dallas Divorce Lawyers

Hargrave Family Law was founded by Dallas divorce lawyer Jennifer Hargrave with a strong mission in mind. Using non-adversarial techniques, our firm advocates for you during this challenging life transition in a way that helps you protect what matters most. Reach out to our team of compassionate Dallas divorce lawyers at Hargrave Family Law for the support you need to navigate divorce and other family law matters. We offer a complimentary case evaluation to start your journey with us. Together, we will work towards safeguarding the happiness and well-being of your family, allowing you to write your next chapter with hope.

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Jennifer Hargrave

Owner & Managing Partner

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Jennifer Stanton Hargrave, J.D. is the founder of Hargrave Family Law, a Dallas-based boutique family law firm that is rooted in empathy, excellence, and empowerment. Jennifer is a seasoned, well-respected Dallas divorce attorney whose career is marked by her commitment to helping families navigate the often painful and complex journey of divorce with dignity and clarity. She has made it her mission to build a robust team of professionals who share this passion and who excel in helping clients build new futures filled with hope and promise.

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Testimonials

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David B.

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I always felt heard and cared for by this team of professionals. 10 out of 10 would
recommend to anyone dealing with a family-law issue!

Ashleigh S.

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Hargrave Family Law was a blessing during a personally difficult time, helping us
navigate complicated aspects of divorce when assets and minor children were
involved.

Jordan T.

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Everyone there was very supportive and our family is in a better place now. Their team
even continues to check in after your case closes, which shows how much they truly
care.

Michelle A.

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Hargrave Law’s team not only provided outstanding legal expertise for my family but
also showed genuine care and compassion throughout the entire process. They took
the time to listen and understand our family’s unique situation and always made sure we
felt supported and informed.

Justin Y.

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What could have been a chaotic and emotional process was made manageable thanks
to their steady guidance. We are beyond grateful for the outcome in the case and highly
recommend this firm to anyone needing a skilled and compassionate Dallas divorce
attorney.

Jeremy Y.

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The staff here was always responsive, clear in their communication, and truly made a
difficult process much easier for everyone involved. If you’re looking for a top-notch
Dallas divorce attorney, this is the firm you want on your side.

Sharon T.

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Their understanding and professionalism throughout the process were truly remarkable,
and I am forever grateful for their role in helping me find my way to the other side.
If you're looking for a legal team that truly cares about their clients and will stand by your
side with compassion and expertise, I highly recommend Hargrave Family Law. I will
always be thankful for the support and strength they gave me.

Mike L.

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The Hargrave team made me feel heard, were compassionate and thoughtful. Most
importantly, I was comfortable trusting their advice.

Kam B.

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You cannot go wrong with Hargrave Family Law. They bring humanity along with
expertise in very difficult situations.

Christy H.

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Going through a divorce can be an emotionally overwhelming experience, but the
paralegals and attorneys at this firm made the entire process so much less stressful.

Ava H.

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From the first consultation, I felt heard, supported, and truly understood. The entire
team brings a rare combination of professionalism, compassion, and strategic expertise
to family law, which made a difficult process feel manageable and even empowering.

Liz R.

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They were able to take my case with a very quick turn around. They were personable,
caring, thorough and have been amazing all around. If I ever needed anything else, I
would go to them first.

Soo C.

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Divorce a very difficult and emotional decision for anyone to make, but finding the right
legal support was probably the most important decision I made other than taking that
step forward to end my marriage. Finding that legal support can be challenging – asking
around discretely for recommendations, meeting with them and then choosing someone
can be overwhelming. What I found with Jennifer Hargrave and the Hargrave Family
was a team with my best interests at heart. Thank you Jennifer for helping me become
the best, empowered me! My family and I thank you.

Allison B.

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Divorce is very scary, as I’m sure most legal matters probably are, but when you are
going through the process and still having to deal with the other person involved, it can
be a daunting experience. Hargrave Family Law recognizes that going through divorce
is extremely stressful and they are ready to help guide you through it. If you are looking
for an attorney who not only has the qualifications, but also actually listens and cares
about you as an individual, then I highly recommend Hargrave Family Law.

Daine C.

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They were very patient with me and fought hard to get me what I wanted. I look back
now and I’m so grateful.

Kim G.

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They helped me prepare, ease my fears, and provided such clarity and confidence
through the challenges along the way. I am now on the other side and can say I would
have never had such a smooth experience and have the life I have today without this
incredible team!

Erin B.

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My children and family dynamic were always the top priority. Every detail was
communicated to me and thoroughly explained. Jennifer and her staff were always
available to listen to my concerns and address them.

Amy B.

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They approached my situation with innovative solutions, which ultimately led to a
resolution where all parties emerged victorious. This outcome was unprecedented, and
the sense of satisfaction it brought me was beyond measure.

Angela M.

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“Jennifer was a beacon of hope for my family member at a time when her options appeared limited and the likelihood of a satisfactory resolution seemed impossible. Her calm and empathetic demeanor offered emotional succor not just to my relative, but to her wider family circle. And though it may seem trivial, she has such a great sense of humor. Sometimes you need that to get through a difficult situation. I will always feel grateful for the way she so professionally managed to obtain the end result we were all hoping for. I can truly recommend her without hesitation. And if you have a loved one needing counsel, realize there is hope. Contact Jennifer Hargrave. She will fight for you to the end.”

Blayn S.

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“Jennifer is a dedicated, knowledgeable professional with a practical yet creative approach to family law negotiations. She makes progress in challenging situations while protecting and caring for her clients.”