Filing for divorce usually costs a lot of money. Add the time-consuming process and emotional hassles, and it is almost impossible to get out of it unscathed. However, does it really have to be like this all the time? Contrary to what we are made to believe, you can have a divorce without spending thousands of dollars. Here are 11 helpful tips to reduce the cost of your divorce, and the best one is getting an online divorce. You can apply for divorce over the internet and get an inexpensive deal. Before we dive into the details, here are the other tips:
1. Get the right education
An essential service you need during a divorce is access to information and education. Look for a workshop where you can get three to four hours of valuable information from a family law attorney, financial expert, and therapist. You can search online for low-cost or free workshops sponsored by collaborative divorce or mediation groups. Some divorce professionals offer online courses that may be useful if workshops are not offered in your area.
2. Consider cost-effective ways to use a lawyer
Many people assume that when they hire a lawyer, he or she will do everything from A to Z. It doesn't necessarily have to be that way. Litigation is not the only model of divorce. If you choose to divorce through mediation instead of dispute, you have the option of using a lawyer as a consultant.
3. Hire a CDFA when collecting and organizing financial documents
To help you negotiate a financial agreement, your lawyer will need accurate information about your assets, debts, income, and expenses. Unfortunately, gathering the right information to create a financial snapshot of your marital assets can be difficult, frustrating, and time-consuming if you are not familiar with the process. You cannot afford to make mistakes here. Instead of paying your lawyer to work with you to gather this critical information, you can hire a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, or CDFA, to guide you at a cheaper rate.
4. Evaluate your financial settlement options using a CDFA
The actual cost of divorce may come from not understanding the financial consequences of an agreement. Unless you have experience in managing complex financial problems and budgets, a financial divorce expert can help you tremendously. By working with a CDFA, you can have a clearer view of your financial future. Only then can you approach a legal agreement that adequately addresses your current and future financial needs.
5. Discuss your varying emotions with a therapist
Your lawyer is not a therapist. Do not accumulate billable hours discussing matters with your lawyer that do not relate to legal rights, procedures, or strategies. It is better that you meet with a licensed therapist.
6. Perform a cost-benefit analysis as problems arise
If it is going to cost your lawyer several thousand dollars to write a motion, ask yourself if it is worth paying for that particular matter. For example, will you spend $1,000 on legal fees to solve a $500 problem?
7. Litigate only as a last resort
The less litigious a divorce, the less expensive it will be. Spending hours in court requires time and money. It is not uncommon to have to pay a lawyer for hours of sitting and waiting in the courtroom. You can find more here:
https://www.divorcemag.com/blog/divorce-litigation-when-is-it-necessary-how-does-it-work
8. Call less and email more
Your lawyer's time is money, so be cautious about how you use it. Email can save you time if it is clear and concise. Just be careful about what you choose to send by email. Make the best use of your limited resources. Your attorney doesn’t have to be in every email or text message that you and your spouse are sending. If you need to call your attorney, make sure it is a scheduled call so that you are prepared and focused on what should be discussed. Make a detailed list of questions before the call and follow it strictly.
9. Don’t pay for appraisals
Getting an appraisal for your vehicles and homes can be expensive. When you can, skip the professional appraisers and agree with your spouse on a value. You can use a value guide called Kelly Blue Book for used cars. If you need appraisals for your home, you can get a real estate agent to make a comparative analysis of the market. Usually, they do this for free. It might not be as accurate as a paid evaluation, but it should be a close-enough representation.
10. Divide household items on your own
You probably have many things from home to divide. It will also save on attorney fees to do this yourself. You don’t need an attorney to help you share items such as dishes, carpets, and furniture. If you’re fighting over trivial issues when it comes to sharing these items, then it is more about the emotions attached to that object. Clarify this before getting an attorney and spending more money when it is not necessary.
11. Get an online divorce
This is one of the best ways to save money during a divorce. Online divorce is possible when you have an uncontested divorce. An uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse do not have any dispute on the terms of your agreement and are willing to file for a divorce without hassles. In this scenario, an online divorce service will work perfectly. You may be wondering where to get a reliable online divorce? It is all around you on the internet. All you have to do is do some research based on their years of experience and you will narrow down your options to a trusted one. The divorce service will provide you with the necessary divorce documents needed to file for a divorce in your state. These divorce forms contain all you need to know about do-it-yourself divorce, making the process faster and less frustrating. Another advantage is the cost. It is considerably more affordable as you can get an online divorce without an attorney and still get the peace of mind that comes with a 100% secure cheap divorce case. This eliminates the tension of unjustified attorney fees and helps you save a lot of time and money.
Along with this online divorce service, you are also provided with a proven and direct guide on the best way to complete the divorce over the internet, eliminating all guesswork. All divorce forms are designed to help you reduce the cost of divorce by getting rid of unnecessary legal fees and, at the same time, ensure that you complete divorce online to your satisfaction without the cumbersome slowdowns usually related to these legal procedures along with the whims of legalities. A web divorce takes a large chunk of the hassle of filing for a divorce out of the process. You can request your divorce forms online, pay a lower fee to the online divorce service, and have your divorce documents delivered without an attorney.
By following these tips, especially getting a web divorce, you can reduce the amount you spend on legal fees and keep more of your money to support yourself and your family in the future.
Disclaimer: This is featured content. No Asian Age journalist is involved in creating this content. The Group also takes no responsibility for this content.
