If you are contemplating divorce, or are already in a divorce proceeding, you never “need” an attorney.  Just like you never “need” to take your car to the mechanic.  Just like you never “need” to go to the doctor.

I suppose you could remove one of your own kidneys, perform a circumcision, or remove an infected finger–but you wouldn’t.  You can handle your own divorce.  All I can say is that there is a reason attorney’s spend years in law school and are required to pass the bar exam before they can practice law.  There’s a reason attorneys spend their lives building a reputation with judges and other attorneys and the community.  Can you handle your own divorce?  The answer is yes…and then be prepared to hire an attorney to fix everything that wasn’t done right the first time…Why risk it?  An initial consultation is only $100–at least learn your rights.

IF EVERYTHING IS AGREED CAN WE USE JUST 1 ATTORNEY?

That answer is a clear maybe.  One attorney cannot represent both parties to a lawsuit.  Believe it or not, attorney’s have a very thick book of Ethics and Professional Responsibility.  There are rules upon rules of what we can and cannot do.  Representing both parties to a divorce, child custody or paternity case creates a conflict of interest for the attorney–and by extension, that attorney’s entire firm.

Is it possible?  Yes, in a specific set of facts.  Since neither party HAS TO have an attorney and CAN represent themselves, one party would retain legal counsel and the other would proceed “Pro-Se”.  The attorney drafts the Petition, Judgment, the necessary settlement agreements and waivers/stipulations, and them submits them to the Pro-Se litigant for their review and consent.  Once everything is agreed to and signed, the parties can have the Judge enter judgment and grant the divorce.

I’ve done this in the past and there is some additional work that has to be done whenever one side is not represented by an attorney.  If you’re the one not represented, I would encourage your to consult with an attorney, even if it’s only for the purpose of reviewing and explaining the documents your spouse’s attorney prepared.  Words do not always mean what you think they mean.  It’s worth a couple hundred bucks to protect the rest of your life.