Divorce can be incredibly expensive, but does it HAVE to be? Spending unnecessary money on divorce is foolish. This is money you could be utilizing after your divorce or to care for your kids. Wouldn’t you rather pay for piano lessons or a family vacation than spend unnecessary money fighting your ex? Hindsight is always 20/20, but the easiest way to minimize divorce costs is to sign a prenuptial agreement with your future spouse.
Uncontested divorce is often the cheapest route. A divorce that is uncontested offers pathways for negotiation that foster less conflict. These divorces may be resolved quicker and require much less time with an attorney. This is a great option for people who have a low level of conflict with their ex spouse and would like to keep the nitty gritty details of their divorce negotiations private. If you are looking to end your marriage as painlessly as possible for your wallet, uncontested divorce may be the answer.
What should I do if uncontested divorce is not an option? Contested divorce occurs when there are exceptional circumstances in the marriage that do not allow for each person to advocate for himself or herself adequately and/or if there are unresolvable issues that must be decided by the court. Contested divorce can be costly and time consuming, not to mention extremely acrimonious. If you are involved in a contested divorce the best ways to minimize costs are to be as reasonable and civil as possible. Unnecessary court appearances and round the clock use of an attorney can add up very quickly. Work with your attorney to develop your high end goals at the beginning and make sure any work done is in furtherance of those goals, not other distracting, petty, expensive issues. Stay focused.
