If you have children, or assets other than automobiles with a value of more than a few thousand dollars, each spouse should consult a lawyer.

A lawyer is also essential if one party is to pay support. If you and your spouse are cooperating and want to save money by having the same lawyer, you are placing that attorney in a position where he or she is representing conflicting interests.

You can do it that way if the lawyer is willing and makes the required disclosure but it is better for each spouse to have their own attorney. You can still save money by having the first attorney do the work and simply use the second attorney for an independent, second opinion.