Reducing the cost of divorce
1. Learn about divorce. Educating yourself regarding divorce will enable you to understand how much money you can expect to spend for the process. Ask questions. Also, read articles relating to divorce and the issues surrounding it. While you may need a lawyer to assist you in the legal aspects of the divorce process, you need to get involved. Gathering as much information about divorce will help you interact with your lawyer or negotiate with your spouse more effectively.
2. Make litigation your last resort. If you are able to settle the matter amicably with your spouse, regarding the process, you will be saving money. Try mediation, negotiation, creative problem solving, collaborative divorce and settlement conferences, and go to court only when all else fails. A divorce lawyer can help you in negotiations with your spouse, but will charge far greater legal fees when you are off to court for battle. Eventually winning the trial may sound a victorious event for you, but litigation -- is very expensive. Reserve the litigation option if your spouse just does not agree with significant terms that you are willing to negotiate for.
3. Be careful about signing blank checks. When you hire a divorce lawyer, find one who will tell you how much your case will cost, ask for worst case and best case scenario. In our office we can quote fixed fees. This gets you a firm commitment regarding your fixed legal costs. Getting divorce attorneys who charge on an hourly basis can be very costly.
4. Get into the "cost-benefit perspective" mode. Don't let yourself get pulled into a legal battle over "the pots and pans". Some things will be important now and in the future, some things won't. Along the way, keep asking yourself the question: is this easily replaced, does this have long term consequences? Asking yourself these questions during a divorce can save you stress and cost.
5. Write down what you and you spouse agrees on. If you and you spouse agree on things take this down in writing .There are something your spouse and you will agree on .Get that down in writing and make sure both attorneys have it in their records.