In my locale without legal representation - unless the divorce is really cut and dried, like 50/50, both make the same money, etc - the courts won’t accept it and will send it back looking for more information. Both sides need to have their own lawyer to petition their divorce to the court.
Are you sure about this? Or perhaps I should ask, do you live in the United States? I don't think the US Constitution would allow for someone to be forced to obtain legal council. I mean, that's pretty much like saying, if you don't pay to hire a legal professional you cannot get divorced. How could that be? Again, maybe you don't live in the USA and then I could more understand it.
As for it being "foolhardy" to D without an attorney - again it really depends. These boards are ripe with stories where all paying 5 figures to the attorney did is lower the amount of any settlement. They often end up with the same deal they would have received with a lawyer. But, again, it really depends. If there are children, large assets or non-typical assets like a business or worse yet a business partnership. You may need and benefit from representation. It also depends on how good of a negotiator you are. How good of a business person you are. My ExW filed on her own and I represented myself on my own. I am very happy with the outcome and I think I was fair to her.
I always suggest at least trying to do this on your own - again unless there are custody battles, etc.
DonH Midwest Me 56 WAW-EXW 55 Met 11/95 / Married 5/00 Bomb 6/20/05 / She Filed on 6/2/06 / Divorced on 10/9/06 4 who'd qualify as GF since D & dated about 25 women since D
