Ways To Get A Cheaper Divorce

“Money makes the world go round.”  This old cliché rings especially true in these tough economic times, and it doesn’t take a psychic to tell you that everyone worries about having or making enough money.  But if it did then I suggest you go back and get your money.  Any who, penny-pinching and belt-tightening aren’t the only side effects that accompany money woes.  What else logically flows from a lack of cash flow?  Why divorce of course (and yes, I’m aware of the numerous puns and annoying word play I’ve levied on you so far – deal with it).

Why does divorce go so naturally with not having enough of the green?  Well, for one thing, money problems top pretty much every list out there regarding topics most argued about by married couples.  It’s ironic too since getting a divorce can end up costing most couples more money than they can afford to spend.  According to the latest divorce surveys and comments on the LegalMatch forums, when you add up the cost of litigation, division of assets, child support, alimony, spousal support (you heard me, though it typically cannot exceed 3 years), court fees, and a whole load of other miscellaneous fees, divorces can range anywhere from $15,000 and up.  And when I say “up,” I really mean up.

Now that’s not to say that if you’re in a bad relationship and you truly want and/or need to get out of it, that you shouldn’t pack up and leave.  All I’m saying is that there are a number of other things that you should consider before taking the plunge, so to speak.  Also you should note that divorce costs, though high, are typically in proportion to your combined income, so don’t stress too much when you see those $168 million settlements.

So what should you consider before getting a divorce?  The LegalMatch Law Library has some tips for you.

First, you should ask yourself whether or not you really want a divorce, or if your marital problems can’t be resolved through non-legal means.  Sometimes it’s more effective to just go to marriage counseling or simply sit down with your spouse and discuss why you feel you want a divorce and track down the real problem plaguing your relationship.

Second, you should also consider your children, if you have any, and how a divorce will affect them.  They shouldn’t be the only reason you decide to stick it out with your significant other, but they should be taken into consideration before you make your choice.  Questions like custody, visitation rights, child support, and most important of all, the emotional toll on your children, should all be considered before you decide to end a marriage.

Should you decide to ultimately divorce, then you should keep in mind the cost considerations I mentioned earlier.  Divorce doesn’t need to be an adversarial event, in that you don’t and often shouldn’t look at it as trying to prevail over your spouse.  In my opinion, the best divorce resolutions come about in the same way as the best lawsuit resolutions.  What does that incredibly cryptic statement mean?  Simply that you should keep the lines communication open with your partner.  Divorce doesn’t mean you need to each get a lawyer; you can also try to cut costs along with emotional pain by hiring one lawyer to act as a mediator to help you and your spouse reach an amicable resolution, then draft up all the necessary paperwork.

And if all else fails, then I suppose you can go through the ugly route, but do you really have $168 million to spare?