With the cost of living going up each year, who has the means for an expensive divorce? Divorce can be costly; especially if you and your spouse can’t agree on the terms of your divorce. If this is the case, you might need to go to trial. Did you know that on average divorce can cost up to $15,000? If you would like to get divorced, but you really don’t have that kind of cash, then we have some tips for you. Ending your marriage doesn’t have to leave you with empty pockets. There are awesome modern ways for an annulment in this day and age!
This article will discuss getting a low-cost divorce in 2020!
1. Use an online divorce company
One of the cheapest ways to get a divorce is to use an online divorce company. This is so much cheaper and easier than going the traditional route. There are many great online divorce companies that will help you through the entire process. All you have to do is fill out an online questionnaire to see if you qualify for an online divorce. Within 24 hours, most companies will send you your divorce papers. One of the best things about getting an online divorce is that you can do it in the comfort of your own living room. What could be easier than sitting on your sofa and opening up your laptop to get divorced? The average online company will charge between $150 and $500 to process your divorce.
Some companies will even file your documentation for you. The best online companies will offer free assistance for any questions that you might have. Some companies even offer legal advice from lawyers at an additional cost. The online company will send you the correct documentation. You will then need to fill out all your information correctly. Once this is done, you can file your divorce papers yourself at your local clerk’s office. You will then need to pay a filing fee. That will be an extra cost, but nowhere near the amount that you would spend if you do a traditional divorce.
2. Get an uncontested divorce
Getting an uncontested divorce means not going to trial. If you and your spouse can agree to all the terms and conditions of your divorce, then you can do an uncontested divorce. If you can have an amicable divorce, then this will save you a lot of money in the long run. Going to trial can cost so much money. If you and your spouse can settle outside of court, you can be sure that you will have a low-cost divorce. With an uncontested divorce, you also don’t need to hire an attorney saving you even more money. You could still use an attorney if you want, but it is not necessary.
3. Try mediation
Mediation is much better than going to trial. A mediator will help you and your spouse come to an agreement on any unsettled issues in your divorce. Going to trial is extremely expensive. Rather than spend all that extra money, settle things with your spouse. You might feel that fighting with your spouse is the best way to get them to pay for the hurt that they caused you, but all it will do is cost so much more. You will feel more stressed out in the long run. A mediator will help you and your spouse come to an amicable agreement, out of court. Mediation tends to be 40 to 60% cheaper than going to trial.
4. Compare prices
Don’t just go with the first lawyer that you find. It would be wise to compare prices.
Also, check exactly where your money will be going. Ask for a break down of their fees, so you know what exactly you are being charged for. They might charge you just for sending an email or making a simple phone call. They could even charge you travel fees. If you are unsure about where your money will be spent, ask your lawyer. Remember, they are working for you, so you have a right to ask them exactly what’s going on. A good lawyer should keep you constantly in the loop. You could even use a paralegal or a younger lawyer. A younger lawyer might charge less because they don’t have as much experience as a lawyer that has been in the game for a long time.
5. Be organized
If you have to use an attorney, another way to save money is to write down all your questions. This will save you time and money. Attorneys charge per hour. So if you keep going back to them to ask questions, they will charge you more for the extra time. File all your paperwork in the correct order, so that when you are with your attorney, you will know where to find the correct documents. It is also a good idea to have all your own supporting documentation organized and ready to go. Supporting documentation can include things like financial statements, credit card statements, and papers for major assets. Be honest about all your finances. Disclose everything. If it comes out that you were lying about any of your assets, you can be fined heavily.
6. Your spouse could pay for your divorce
Yes, this is possible. If for example, your spouse is really wealthy and earns an excellent salary, you could always ask your spouse to pay for your attorney fees and other divorce-related expenses. Some spouses might not be inclined to do this, but sometimes you might just get lucky. They could agree to it if you don’t have any means of paying for yourself.
7. DIY divorce
You could also just do everything yourself. You can go to your local family court and get divorce papers, or you could just download them from their website. Once you have done this, you can fill out all the paperwork and serve your spouse with the divorce papers. You would have to use a professional server or someone who is older than 18 years old. You will then need to file all your documentation and pay the court filing fees. By doing your divorce yourself, you can really save costs. You will just have to make sure that everything is filed correctly. If it is done incorrectly, then you will have to start the entire process all over again. After you’re divorced, don’t forget to be optimistic and move on with your life. Part of this new journey might include reclaiming your identity, like changing your last name. For instance, in Illinois, the process is fairly simple and straightforward, which can be a comforting start to this new chapter in your life. If you’re in doubt, make sure to contact professionals and learn how to change your name in Illinois.Getting divorced in 2020 doesn’t have to be expensive! If you follow these money-saving tips, then you can make your divorce affordable!