Getting a divorce can be quite costly. From court fees, mediation, counseling, hiring an attorney, and so forth. It seems like, at every turn, you’re spending more money to get through the divorce process. So, you might be wondering what you can do to keep divorce costs down. After all, you don’t want to run through the nest egg fund you have set back for post-divorce life. So, there are a few things you can do to save yourself time, money, and the stress of a costly divorce.
Keeping Divorce Costs Down: Saving Money and Moving On
Make the most of your time
Divorce attorneys operate on an hourly rate. This rate includes time spent sending emails, speaking on the phone, or providing any sort of correspondence. So, instead of calling every single time you have a question— consider compiling them into a list, and making the call whenever the list of questions hits about five or so. Of course, you are able to call any time you feel the need. But, beware of the divorce costs associated with doing so.
Reducing the amount of time you spend talking to them, can reduce your overall cost. Furthermore, come to meetings prepared. Compile all necessary paperwork ahead of time, make a list of questions, and try to make your time as efficient as possible. Lastly, consider that an email takes up much less time than a phone call. So, using this method of communication may also be cost-effective.
Cooperate with your spouse where you can
Emotions typically run high during divorce. But, something that most couples would benefit from realizing is this: the more you cooperate, the most cost-effective and quick your divorce can be. There are plenty of methods for divorcing, but the cheaper ones are always reserved for those who can work together. Remember, you have a common goal. No matter the way you feel about one another, in this one aspect, you want the same exact thing. So, if you can put emotions aside and work together, you’ll be amazed at how much smoother the process can be.
Of course, this route is not for everyone. Some couples just, plain cannot make a collaborative divorce work— and that’s okay. it’s just important to be aware of any and all options. Furthermore, if you two can reach some sort of common ground on the issues that take up the most time (such as alimony, property division, and custody), you can make things go more quickly. Think about it: if you show up to mediation with 3/5 problems solved, you just saved 3/5th’s of the time. Not to mention, if you have children, you’ll have to communicate anyways. So, this is a good place to start.
Consider mediation
Mediation is a great tool for divorcees. In short, mediation is when you both sit down with a neutral third party to try and resolve issues within your divorce. Using this method instead of trial, is less expensive. However, it does not work for everyone. The more stubborn you and your spouse are about compromising, the less successful methods such as mediation will be. If you end up not being successful in mediation, you’ll have to pay for those services, as well as going to court. So, think in-depth before making a decision on what option you’ll choose.
In short, you’re going to spend money on a divorce. There’s no getting around that. But when it comes to how high your divorce costs go? That’s ultimately up to the two of you. So, consider your options before moving forward in any fashion. And if you have questions, feel free to reach out to us today.