Have you ever wondered how much the average divorce costs in America? The amount might surprise you. On average a divorce costs $15 000 per couple. That’s a lot of money, which some people might not have. Between lawyer’s fees, court fees, and real estate appraisers, you could end up spending a small fortune trying to end your marriage. Some people even put off getting a divorce because they are afraid of the costs that could be incurred.
But you don’t need to fret. The good news is that there are several things that you can do to save money on your divorce.
- Use an online divorce service
Online divorce is becoming an increasingly popular method for getting an annulment. Not only is it easy and convenient, but it is also really cheap. On average, the cost of using an online divorce company can range from $130 – $400. This is a huge amount of savings if you compare it to the cost of a traditional divorce. Online divorce is really simple. You fill out an online questionnaire to see if you qualify. To qualify for an online divorce you will need to know certain things, like where your spouse is, if your divorce will be uncontested, and if you and your spouse agree on child custody.
If you do qualify, your divorce papers will be sent to you within a few hours. Once this has been done, you can begin to fill out your divorce papers and collect the correct supporting documentation.
Another way you save money by doing an online divorce, is by not having to leave your home. You won’t need to hire a cab or take the day off from work to see an attorney. You also won’t need to hire a babysitter to take care of your kids. These might seem like small things, but remember that every cent counts during a divorce. Make sure to read online divorce reviews first as there are so many scam companies over there.
- Don’t use an attorney unless you really have to.
You don’t have to use an attorney when you get divorced. Many people think that an attorney is needed, but this is not always the case. If you have an uncontested divorce, and you haven’t been married for a long time or haven’t accumulated many assets, then you don’t need an attorney. It can be easy to divide assets if you and your spouse both agree on how to do so. Without the need for an attorney, you can really save a lot of money. The average cost of an attorney varies greatly, but in most cases, attorneys tend to charge between $250-$500 an hour. If you end up using an attorney for every little thing in your divorce, the cost of your annulment could increase drastically. So even if you do end up needing an attorney, you don’t have to use the attorney for your entire divorce. You can get your own divorce papers online or at your local clerk’s office, and even fill them out on your own. Then you will just have to ask an attorney to look the papers over. This could take as little as an hour or so.
- If you really need an attorney….
Sometimes attorneys are needed, especially if children are involved in a divorce case. In these cases, you can still save money. When it comes to using an attorney, the first thing you should do is compare prices. Look for attorneys that charge reasonable rates, and don’t just use the first attorney you find. Another thing you can do is to be organized. Make a list of all the questions you would like to ask your attorney. When you do this, you won’t forget to ask anything, which will save you from needing extra meetings with your lawyer. You can also collect all your own supporting documents like bank statements, social security numbers, marriage certificates, birth certificates of your children, retirement annuities, and so on. If you do this, instead of the attorney you will also save money.
- Keep your attorney visits to the point
When you set up a meeting with your attorney, keep it to the point. Discuss your divorce proceedings and all the legalities. Don’t discuss how you feel in great depths, or use your attorney to vent your emotions. Your attorney will charge you for every minute of their time that you use. So save money by not wasting valuable time with your attorney. Instead, see a psychologist or join a divorce support group to talk about how you feel.
- Work things out with your partner
The best way to save money is to not get divorced at all. See if you and your spouse can work things out. Have you done everything to try to make things work? Have you been to a marriage counselor? Have you really poured your heart out and talked things through with your spouse to try to find common ground and fix the holes in your marriage? Sometimes seeking help from a professional can save your marriage. Many couples who get divorced later wish they hadn’t. If you can, work it out. It will save you money and spare you from the emotional stress of a divorce.
- DIY Divorce is easier than you think
Another option for saving money is to do the entire divorce on your own. This isn’t too complicated, but online divorce is still a bit easier than DIY divorce. When it comes to getting a DIY divorce there a few steps that you will need to follow:
- Make sure that you meet your state’s residency requirements
- Get your divorce papers online or at your local clerk’s office
- Fill out all your paperwork and get your supporting documents
- Sign your papers in front of a notary
- Make several copies of all documents
- File your paperwork and pay any required filing fees
- Serve your spouse with the divorce papers via a professional server or someone over the age of 18
- Prepare a settlement agreement with your spouse
- Finish the last bit of paperwork
- Set a court date
- Get your divorce decree
If you have any questions you can ask your local courthouse, or if you really get stuck, ask an attorney to go over your paperwork to make sure everything is in order.
- Be realistic
You might go into your divorce wanting to come out with everything including the house, the car, and full custody of your kids. Remember that in most cases, a judge will always be fair. So by drawing out the court case to get what you want, you are just adding to the cost of divorce. Always be reasonable and realistic and you will be sure to save some money.
Divorce is costly, but there are ways in which you can bring the costs down. By following the above points you will be able to save money during your divorce. With the extra money you save, do something special for yourself. After all the stress is over, you deserve a little treat.
