When it comes to costs associated with divorce, people pay a lot of attention to post-divorce expenses. For example, many worry about alimony or child support payments. However, the reality is that the divorce process itself may cost tens of thousands of dollars, depending.
However, there are ways to ensure that your divorce is more affordable. According to Forbes Magazine, if you want an affordable divorce, make sure that you avoid a trial divorce.
What kind of divorce saves money?
A collaborative divorce will be far less expensive than a trial divorce. Trial divorce often requires multiple lawyers, paralegals, aides and judges to complete. This long roster of legal personnel causes the expenses associated with divorce to rise.
However, a collaborative divorce generally only involves the two participants and two lawyers. Each ex-spouse will have their own lawyer representing them, and they will discuss the terms of the divorce across a conference table rather than have them litigated in a courtroom. Not only does this save a lot of money, it also gives the participants more say in the end result of the divorce.
How else can I save?
Lawyers typically work on billable hours. This means that the more time your divorce takes, the more expensive it becomes. Lawyers spend hundreds of billable hours each year trying to sort out a couple’s assets. If you can approach your divorce lawyer with all of your assets organized, you will save a lot of money.
Additionally, how you contact your lawyer may help you save. Of course, some aspects of your divorce may necessitate a phone call, but keeping most communications to email saves a lot of time on the part of the lawyer, ultimately saving you money.
