How To Divorce Cheaply

You may see ads online about how you can divorce for a couple hundred dollars, but is that really all it takes? What about if there are children involved? Obviously the expenses involved in paying child support and alimony aren’t included in that cost.

The average cost of a divorce in the United States is $15,000. That means some divorces cost more; others cost less. If money is a concern for you and is a barrier to divorce, then you want to get your divorce costs on the lower side.

How can you avoid draining your bank account too much? Here are some tips to help.

Avoid Fighting

Be cordial with your spouse. The more you fight, the more the cost goes up. This is because you are wasting the time of the courts and lawyers. If you can take the high road and keep the fighting minimal, then you can reduce expenses.

Work Out as Much as You Can on Your Own

Lawyers are expensive, costing hundreds of dollars per hour. The more you can do on your own, the more money you can save. Do some online research and become familiar with the paperwork requirements and filing deadlines.

If you do hire a lawyer, use them as little as possible. You should use them for contractual issues, but don’t use them as a therapist. Remember, they charge by the hour.

Ask About Payment Plans

Before you hire a lawyer, ask about payment plans to help balance out the costs. This will keep you from draining your bank account or maxing out your credit card. In some cases, you may even be able to get a discount on legal costs. You’ll never know unless you ask. However, you may have to pay a monthly retainer.

Check Out Legal Aid

There are some services available for those who are low income. For example, Community Services of Mid-Florida offers free legal aid to clients who meet certain guidelines and live in Brevard, Citrus, Orange, Volusia, Lake, Marion, Hernando, Flagler, Osceola, Sumter, Putnam, or Seminole counties. You can get information about the divorce process as well as the necessary forms. You can also find private non-profit organizations in some cities and counties. These non-profits have volunteer attorneys who can help you with paperwork and offer legal advice. You can also contact local law schools and ask about low-cost legal clinics where students can get experience taking on cases. There may be other free or low-cost services available, depending on where you live.

Seek Legal Help 

Divorce is never going to be free, but you should take the proper steps to get it as cheap as possible. There are many things you can do to cut the cost.

Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Edward J. Jennings, P.A. can assess your situation and help you divorce without breaking the bank. See what you can do to save money. To schedule a consultation, call 954-764-4330 or fill out the online form.

Resource:

money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/family-finance/articles/ways-to-avoid-an-expensive-divorce