Four Ways to Save Money on Your Divorce
Everybody wants to save money. It is why we buy in bulk, why we clip coupons, and why we spend time looking for deals in stores and online. What you might not realize is that you can save money on your divorce by making a few strategic choices. This is not the same as shopping for a “budget” lawyer. Investing in a competent divorce lawyer can save you money in the long run by streamlining your divorce and advocating for your interests in negotiations.
If you are preparing to begin the divorce process, consider the following ways to reduce its price tag.
Choose Mediation or Collaborative Divorce
One of the most effective ways to save money on your divorce is to choose a form of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) instead of litigating your divorce. Mediation and collaborative divorce both take place outside the courtroom, saving you court costs and the money your lawyer would bill for hours spent preparing for hearings and appearing at the hearings themselves. In some cases, they can also be resolved more quickly than litigious divorces, which saves the divorcing couple money.
Pay Down your Debt Beforehand
In a divorce, all marital debts are divided between the couple like their marital assets are. Reducing your marital debt before starting the divorce process means finishing it with less debt overall, which puts you in a more financially stable position to start the next stage of your life as a single person. This does not reduce the actual cost of the divorce, but reduces the financial stress a divorce can create.
Be Organized and Ready for Divorce
Have all your relevant documents ready for your lawyer to review before you meet with him or her. The less time your lawyer has to spend finding documents, the fewer billable hours you will have to pay for.
Choose your Battles and Be Willing to Compromise
You have probably noticed a theme: in a divorce, saving time saves money. When you refuse to cooperate with your spouse and choose to argue over every part of the divorce, you prolong the divorce process. More time spent on your divorce is more money from your pocket.
Some battles are worth fighting. Some are not. Talk to your lawyer before meeting with your spouse to determine which issues you should prioritize and remain firm about and which you should be willing to let go. You are going to have to compromise in your divorce – having a compromise strategy in place before you start negotiations will help you save money and stress.
Work with an Experienced Orlando Divorce Lawyer
Working with the right Orlando divorce lawyer can also save you money because it will save you time. To set up your initial consultation with the Law Offices of Steve W. Marsee, P.A., contact our office today. During your consultation, we will take a closer look at your case to determine the most effective course of action for your divorce.
