Top tips for a low-cost divorce.
1. TALK TO YOUR SPOUSE – The easiest way to achieve a low-cost divorce is to develop a working relationship with your spouse and decide, on your own, how the two of you want to move forward. Make a list of all of your assets and sit down and decide how you are going to split them up. Talk about your children together. Come up with a parenting-time schedule that you both can agree on and that will work best for your children. When two parties are able to communicate with each other directly, this saves them both money. The cost that client’s can incur when all communications have to go through their attorneys can be significant.
2. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF – Keep the cost of everything in perspective. Stuff can be replaced. If your spouse really wants a certain set of dishes, let him/her have it. These can be replaced. The biggest regret client’s have after finishing their divorce is spending too much money arguing over “stuff” that can be replaced.
3. BE FAIR – This process isn’t easy and there are going to be hard parts. Don’t lose sight of the big picture. Most client’s want to be able to effectively co-parent after the divorce is finished. Don’t call each other names. Don’t do things that you know will intentionally hurt your spouse.
4. HIRE AN ATTORNEY – Some of the most costly mistakes I have seen are when client’s try to navigate this process without proper representation. Hiring an attorney doesn’t have to be expensive. You should express your goals with your attorney at the first appointment, they can often offer you suggestions on how to keep costs down. When client’s start the process without an attorney, they often miss deadlines, which can cause bigger headaches in the long run.
5. CONSOLIDATE QUESTIONS – Don’t send your attorney a string of emails with one line or one sentence. Organize your thoughts and send an email with a proper list of questions. You attorney will appreciate you taking the time to think things through and you won’t be charged for a string of individual emails.
If you want to achieve a low-cost divorce, contact our office today 586-333-4686 for a free consultation or book your appointment online. We love helping client’s find cost-effective solutions to their family law matter.
Lashier Law Firm