How To Get Divorced On A Budget

Nicole Quattrocchi | | Categories: attorney , Business Formation , Civil Litigation , Commercial Litigation , Contract Drafting & Review , Court , Divorce , Estate Planning , Expense , Family Law & Domestic Relations , General Litigation , lawyer , LGBT Issues & Custody , Litigation , LSAT , Small claims , Wills & Trusts

While going through a divorce can drain you physically and emotionally, it can also take a toll on your finances. Untangling your money from your spouse’s money can be a messy affair, and therefore can cost you a significant sum. At the same time, there’s the aspect of spousal or child support, which you’ll need to account for, and legal fees that you’ll need to cover throughout the divorce settlement.

However, if you can budget efficiently, you can save yourself money, stress, time, and have a much healthier relationship moving forward with your ex-spouse and children. To help you keep your divorce expenses within a range of $2,500 to $3,000, The Quattro Firm, L.L.C. has put together a few tips on how to get divorced on a budget. Keep reading to learn about the best approaches to get a divorce and the different aspects that add to your costs.

1. Consider an uncontested or agreed dissolution
While you may have hurt feelings, resentment, or anger towards your soon to be ex-spouse, an uncontested dissolution is the best way to save money, time, and aggravation. If you can agree (at least come close to agreeing) on timesharing, how to divide your assets and liabilities, and how to move forward, you should consider an uncontested dissolution.

If you can agree to uncontested, many attorneys will allow you to pay a “flat” rate instead of paying by the hour. Hourly rates can get expensive quickly. If you’re paying a flat rate, you can also often pay in installments allowing you to budget and save for the payments.

2. Make the conscious effort to save money
If you cannot agree on an uncontested procedure, begin saving money before things reach a breaking point. Begin taking cash back at the grocery store and other places. Maintain a separate account to save for attorney’s fees and filing fees.

3. Start gathering your financial information
Collect all of your financial details and store it somewhere out of your home. This will save you and your attorney time and money. If you leave the items at home, and your spouse blocks your access to them, it will end up costing you.

4. Attend a pre-suit mediation
If you cannot agree to have an uncontested dissolution, see if you can attend a pre-suit mediation. This can save time and money and turn a contested dissolution to an uncontested dissolution.

5. Don’t wait to get divorced
The longer you are married, the higher your alimony will become in terms of years to pay it. If you’re unhappy after five years, do not wait until you complete twenty years together before you get divorced. Florida still recognizes lifetime alimony for marriages that have lasted more than seventeen years. If you’ve been waiting to get divorced and you’re approaching that length of marriage, it will save you money in alimony if you divorce before the presumption is that lifetime alimony is appropriate.

Final thoughts
While it’s hard to separate feelings and emotions in the dissolution process, try your best to consider the uncontested approach. Judges are much happier to hear about parents resolving their issues and learning to co-parent peacefully. Moreover, your children will be much happier and better shielded from any bad feelings if their parents can have a civil uncontested dissolution.

 If you need any help in addressing your doubts or concerns regarding divorce, reach out to The Quattro Firm, L.L.C. We are top attorneys in West Palm Beach, Florida, and we specialize in several areas of the law - civil litigation, family law, and domestic relations, marital contracts and family law mediation are just a few of them.

When a client approaches us with their needs, besides their legal issues, we also consider their personal needs, fears, and aspirations. This not only helps us advocate with compassion but the determination to obtain the settlement they deserve.

To learn more about our practice areas, please click here or get in touch with us by clicking here

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