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Divorce expert attorney Ed Sherman says, "The worst thing you can do is go see a divorce lawyer before you understand your options and how a divorce works. This is a common mistake that leads to disaster."

Sherman, the award-winning author who founded Nolo Press and the self-help law movement, has spent the past 40 years showing divorcing couples how to get divorced without retaining an attorney. He says, "There's a big difference between using a divorce attorney and retaining one to take your case," and understanding this can make a huge difference in your costs and outcome of your divorce.

It's fine to consult with an attorney on a specific issue of your divorce, or have one file a motion on your behalf. But to retain a divorce lawyer means that you sign a contract that allows the attorney to take over your divorce, and you hand over a retainer fee of a thousand to several thousand dollars. This fee is just a downpaypment and rarely covers the attorney's total bill.

When you retain a divorce attorney, the attorney is now in charge of your case--you have handed over control of your life. You no longer make any decisions about your divorce, and your lawyer probably won't consult with you very much about when and what will happen. You're just expected to pay for the actions the attorney deems best.

The problems with this scenario are:

1. Attorneys work within an adversarial legal system, where they can't help but stir up trouble by filing motions and orders. And the more trouble you have, the more money they make. That's hardly an incentive to keep things simple. Some attorneys will continue to drag out a divorce until all your money is gone, before finally sbttling.

2. Because of the way our legal system is designed. law=ers often feel compelled to do things you don't need to protect themselves so you can't later complain that they didn't do enough to get you the best result.These kinds of actions will increase the conflict and emotional trauma in your case significantly, and can lead to a nasty court battle, even if that's not what you wanted.

So, always remember: Unless you have an emergency, don't go to a lawyer until you are organized and prepared. Before you see an attorney, you need to:

1. Organize your cocuments and information to avoid paying the lawyer's high hourly fee to do this with you during the consulation

2. Be aware of what a lawyer can and can't do for you

3. Get clear on what you want from the lawyer

4. Learn how to choose the right lawyer for your case

This is a proven strategy that has worked for millions of people who have used Sherman's divorce books and software over the years.

Sherman is featured in a video on divorce lawyers at his YouTube Channel. This video provides essenti`l information that will help every divorcing couple achieve better results.

Sherman also offers a great resource to help you get organized,at no charge. Use the form below to get immediate access to his divorce checklist.