How To Save Money When Going Through a Divorce
With almost half of marriages in the US ending in divorce, going through the process of splitting with your partner can be an emotionally and financially draining experience for both parties.
As of April 2022, new no-fault divorce laws came into force, meaning that getting divorced is now cheaper, quicker and much less contentious. The significant barrier to amicable divorces in the past has been due to a divorce rule in the US that forced one party to accept blame, even if the marriage has come to a natural end.
Many people have split with their partners but have delayed getting divorced because of the costs involved. This makes a lot of sense when you consider that the cost of getting divorced can run into tens of thousands of pounds.
However, the process can be less painful and much cheaper under the new divorce laws. The old misconception that the party that admits the fault will get less money in a divorce settlement is well and truly dispelled with a no-fault divorce.
How Much Does It Cost To Divorce?
How much does it cost to divorce? Answer, a LOT.
In the US, the average cost of getting a divorce is around $12,900, including legal fees, but the actual cost will depend on your individual circumstances (Fool.com).
For example:
- The complexity of your financial affairs
- If you are using a solicitor or an online service
- Whether your divorce is uncontested or contested
Most divorces are uncontested, so using a solicitor to process your divorce will cost anything from $450 to $950. A contested divorce will involve going through the courts, which could cost upwards of $40,000 and be quite a traumatic experience.
Government fees to apply for a divorce come at a fixed cost, but how much your divorce will cost you will depend on how much legal advice you take and how drawn out your divorce becomes before both parties reach an agreement.
Cutting The Costs of Divorce
Going for the new no-fault divorce option where both parties want an amicable divorce can be the quickest and most cost-effective way for a married couple to part ways. Sometimes, an amicable no-fault divorce can be settled in just a day or two.
Solicitor fees can run into thousands of pounds in contested divorces, and you will also need to pay attorneys fees to conduct your court hearing. If your relationship with your partner isn’t good, you may need an initial mediation meeting, which can cost around $120 alone.
Trying to keep the peace, open up and maintain good communications with your partner can avoid many unnecessary expenses involved with a contested divorce. This is why working with an experienced family law firm can help the process and reduce your divorce’s cost.
If you are in the United Kingdom, you can save a lot of money by using sites like www.wiselaw.co.uk to help you find the right family lawyer to assist you through your divorce. This makes it easy to find the best and most cost-effective family lawyers in your area for free.
Low-Income Assistance
Many separated couples on a low income can put off getting a divorce for many years due to the costs. While the divorce filing fee needs to be paid for by the applicant, it does cover the cost of the entire divorce process. However, if you are on a low income, you may be able to get a court fee remission to help with the filing fee.
While legal aid is no longer available for most divorce cases, certain circumstances will qualify you for help. You may be eligible for assistance with mediation costs, so it is worth checking. A good divorce lawyer will help you decide on the charges at the start of divorce proceedings and advise you about any assistance you can get to help cover your legal fees.
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