Deann Miles
You can be divorced for less than $500 in most places, but not all couples can have a divorce that inexpensive. Divorce costs are based on several factors but there are steps you can take to keep those costs down. Read on to learn more about having a divorce that is as cost-efficient as possible.
What Drives Divorce Costs?
In many cases, it is the couple themselves that are responsible for high divorce costs. If the couple goes into a divorce with lots of disagreements about child custody, property, debt, fault and more, it drives up both court costs and attorney fees. Fortunately, even if your spouse is not in agreement with you on all issues, you can still take some steps to keep costs down.
Don't Compromise on Attorney Quality
When finances are a concern, and they usually are, it can be tempting to hire the least-expensive divorce lawyer or try to do without a lawyer at all. Both of those options could be short-sighted, however. Good legal advice and support during a divorce will help you stand up, ask for what you want, and get what you deserve in a divorce.
Know About Attorney, Court, and Other Costs
Don't be hesitant about discussing legal fees with your divorce attorney at the first meeting. While predicting the final tally at that time can be challenging, you should be able to get an estimate for budgeting purposes. Divorce filing fees, process server fees, and other common extras are usually set fees that you can know from the beginning. If you must use a child study or evaluation expert, that cost is extra. Your spouse may agree to go in halves on some of the extra fees that benefit the process for both of you.
Get Your Spouse to Pay for the Divorce
Speaking of your spouse helping out, if there is a large income disparity between the two of you, you might be able to have the judge order your spouse to pay some or all of your legal fees. Speak to your attorney about that.
Mediation Worth the Cost
Mediation can help couples resolve issues by discussing them in a casual, non-confrontational environment. Although not strictly a legal action, many divorce attorneys work closely with mediators and create legally-binding agreements as a result of mediation. In some states, warring couples may be ordered to mediation. This cost is extra but may save money later when you can keep other legal costs down by agreeing to issues outside of court.
To find out more about divorce that doesn't break the bank, speak to your divorce lawyer. You can learn more about divorce by visiting websites like http://WWW.TML-LAW.com.
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