Can Divorce Be Affordable?

Understanding the Costs

The cost of a divorce can vary depending on several factors.

First up, legal fees. Hiring a divorce attorney requires financial preparation.  The more complex your divorce case is, the more you're going to pay. If you are able to split amicably, your legal bills will be lower. 

Next, the court costs. These are the fees you pay just to get your divorce processed through the legal system. You'll need to pay to file the initial paperwork, and schedule hearings. 

The biggest expense, though, is arguably the division of assets and debts. 

Divorcing couples need to divide their assets, including real estate, investments, and retirement accounts. This process can involve appraisals, valuations, and potentially the involvement of financial experts. 

Strategies for an Affordable Divorce

While divorce can be expensive, there are several strategies you can explore for a cheap uncontested divorce.

Mediation

You may want to consider mediation or a collaborative divorce process. I know, anything with "divorce" in the title doesn't sound super appealing. 

But In mediation, you and your soon-to-be ex sit down with a neutral third party mediator. This person doesn't take sides, they just help facilitate calm discussions to work through sticky issues.  The goal is to finalize your issues respectfully and avoid a nasty court battle.

Uncontested Divorce

Another cost-cutter is simply keeping your divorce uncontested if at all possible. Basically, if you two can actually agree on how to split everything up, you can sidestep a ton of legal fees. Just get the paperwork filed showing you're in agreement. 

Good communication

Finally, good communication and organization between you and your spouse can really help too. The more you two can cooperate and not be bitterly combative over every little thing, the less your attorneys will have to get involved. 

And less attorney involvement equals less legal fees. It's not glamorous, but staying on speaking terms can legitimately save you big bucks.

Finding a divorce attorney

While the above strategies can save you money, sometimes you just need to bring in a skilled divorce attorney. 

But not all lawyers are equal when it comes to divorce cases. You'll want to do your homework to find one that's a good fit.

Start by asking trusted friends or family if they have any recommendations for divorce attorneys in your area. 

When interviewing potential lawyers, don't be afraid to ask about their experience handling divorces similar to yours.  

Make sure their specialty and communication style match with your situation and personality. With a bit of due diligence, you can find an experienced and reliable attorney for your case.