How to Save Money in a Divorce

Everyone knows that divorce is a costly process. Besides the fact that all your property will be divided, you also will need to hire lawyers, apply for divorce, and pay filing fees. These are all necessary costs. 

In this article, we’ll look at ten practical and valuable tips on how to save money during a divorce. Depending on your case’s complexity and your life situation, not all of the recommendations may be right for you. But you can choose the one you like the most or use several of them.

1. Explore DIY Divorce

It’s possible to complete the divorce process without an attorney or a mediator. It is one of the best options to save a lot on the cost of divorce. But a do-it-yourself divorce is not suitable for all couples.

Marriage dissolution proceedings without a lawyer are suitable for spouses who have few joint assets, property, debts, and child custody issues to resolve. In this case, the couple can try to come to an agreement on everything peacefully. Difficulties that may arise are finding and filling out the necessary divorce papers. Without the help of a specialist, all responsibility for their correctness will be up to you.

2. Learn About Online Divorce

Divorce over the internet is another DIY option. In this case, you still do not turn to a lawyer for help but prepare all the necessary forms with an online divorce companies’ support someone like marylandonlinedivorce.com. 

Web divorce is an inexpensive and affordable legal document preparation service that meets all state requirements. You just need to sign up on the website, go through a survey regarding your marriage breakup. The questionnaire can take from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on how much time you are willing to spend right away. If you suddenly need to clarify something with your spouse during the survey, you can save your progress and return to it later. 

3. Choose Uncontested Divorce

The fewer controversial issues a couple has, the less the lawyer’s receipt will be, and the more quickly a divorce can be completed. 

To get an uncontested divorce, the petitioner and the respondent must sign a Settlement Agreement, which spells out the terms of property division, debt allocation, child support and custody, and spousal support, if necessary.

4. Choose the Right Grounds for Divorce

Depending on the state laws, the list of reasons varies. Basically, no-fault divorce includes irreconcilable differences and long-term separation. At-fault divorce comprises adultery, abuse, alcoholism, and drug addiction.

If you have decided to point out that your marriage broke up due to the fault of your spouse, you should be prepared to provide proof of guilt to the court. And this, in turn, will drag out the trial longer.

5. Be Organized When You Meet With an Attorney 

When working with a lawyer, you should be prepared that they usually charge a fee per hour. It means that the more organized and efficient you are, the less the specialist’s services will cost you.

Before meeting with an attorney, you should make a list of mandatory questions or problems you want to solve. You should also listen to the lawyer as carefully as possible. 

And remember, the more you can do on your own, the less you will pay for legal services. For example, filling out documents does not have to be done with a lawyer. The same applies to the systematization of your family budget and filing for divorce.

6. Don’t Use a Lawyer as a Psychotherapist

Getting a divorce can be exhausting, but you shouldn’t go to your lawyer for help with emotional issues. You will spend billable hours discussing emotional issues that have nothing to do with your dissolution of marriage. An attorney can support you, but it will be more expensive than a professional psychotherapist.

7. Be Honest With Your Attorney.

Be upfront with your lawyer. It will allow you to make an effective plan of action and find a solution to each matter from the start. Even if you have a contested divorce, a legal professional will be looking for the right solution for your particular case. Withholding information or assets from your attorney may result in them having to gather information from the very beginning, and the court may not rule in your favor in the final decree.

8. Hire Paralegals or Legal Assistants 

Legal assistants bill their clients at lower rates than attorneys. You can always ask your paralegal about the next trial time or where to get a copy of the paperwork. Cooperation with lawyer assistants will allow you to get a faster answer to an important question since they are less busy and save you money on lawyer services. But if you need full legal consultation, you should contact an attorney.

9. Ask for Spousal Support

If your financial situation deteriorates during the divorce, you can ask the court to assign you alimony. The court may appoint spousal support during the divorce or for several years after the official breakup. It will help one of the spouses maintain their financial situation until they can support themselves.

If the couple has an uncontested divorce, they can agree on spousal support without going to court.

10. Organize Your Monthly Expenses

A divorce requires money, but your life needs it too. When the spouses are married, the monthly expenses are not so tangible, but you should think about whether everything you pay or buy every month is vital when you are on your own. 

You should make a list of essential expenses, such as buying food, paying bills, refueling your car. And in the second column, indicate the additional costs for the month. For example, every weekend going to the cinema, going out of town, buying a new Dior dress, etc. Cross out everything from the second column that is not vital. This solution will help you stay in good condition during the divorce proceedings because there is no telling how long it will last.