When it comes to getting a divorce, do not DIY it. Most divorcing people actually agree on most issues, but it is best to use some professional help to develop your divorce agreement. A professional divorce mediator can ensure that you are covering the many issues in an efficient and cost-effective manner. I recently had a couple come in with a “do-it-yourself” divorce agreement they found on the Internet, all the blanks filled in with their preferences. When I started to ask some more in-depth questions, it turned out that they weren’t as prepared as they thought. At that point, they realized that there were issues that they hadn’t even considered and they needed more time to discuss and figure out what would work best.

Things that you do not know to include in a DIY divorce can have significant consequences, such as the one that came up recently for the Supreme Court having to do with beneficiary on a life insurance policy. Will the deceased man’s ex-wife or widow get the life insurance monies?

As all good divorce mediators know, estate planning needs to be included in your divorce decree. People may need to change their beneficiaries on insurance policies, and make changes to their will, powers of attorney and health care directives. A professional mediator has the depth of knowledge about divorce and develops a comprehensive understanding about your personal situation. She can then individualize the divorce process and document to reflect your circumstances. It is also best practice to have a tax attorney review your agreement so you fully understand the tax implications of your assets and liabilities moving forward. You may think you have enough money to buy a smaller house after you sell the larger family home, but then the tax bill arrives, and there go your profits and down payment for your next house. YIKES!!!

So while the Internet can provide some good basic information for you to feel prepared about the divorce process, it is best to utilize professionals at points during the course of your divorce. You can feel reassured that you have addressed all the important areas and will have no surprises down the road.