Divorce does not have to break you financially. If you are considering a divorce, the following four ideas may help you reduce the cost. A skilled divorce attorney can help provide you with more information as well.
Consider Alternative Dispute Resolution
Starting the divorce process, you may envision a long and bitter courtroom battle. Fortunately, the vast majority of divorce cases settle outside of court. Usually, this is done through mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution, such as collaborative divorce.
During mediation, you and your spouse will meet with a mediator. Mediators are objective third parties. They do not make any decisions on your case, nor do they provide legal advice. A mediator will simply try to foster compromise and communication between you and your spouse so you can reach an agreement as quickly as possible. Mediation is a much faster, and much more affordable, way to get a divorce.
Set Goals
It is critical to set goals for yourself during the divorce process. Consider what is most important to you. Is it time with your children? Is it pursuing spousal support? Or, is there a certain asset you want to walk away with, such as the marital home? Knowing your goals at the outset of the process will help you focus on what is worth fighting for, and what you are willing to let go of. This will help you settle your divorce case more quickly, which will make the entire process less costly for you.
Know Your Own Motivation
This tip goes hand in hand with the one above. You may have to pay for certain expenses during divorce that you cannot avoid. For example, you may need to bring in a child development specialist during child custody hearings. You must ask yourself why you are doing it. If it is in the best interests of your children, the expense may very well be worthwhile. If you are just doing it to get revenge on your spouse, it is probably an expense you should try to avoid.
Set Up the Right Support System
There is no getting around the fact that divorce is very hard. You will feel many different emotions, and you may not always be able to sort through them on your own. It is critical to have a support system in place so you have somewhere to turn when the process becomes too emotional to bear. However, it is just as important that you have the right support system.
Your attorney will offer a lot of support during the process, but you should only speak to them about the legalities of your case. If you end up crying on the phone with your lawyer for an hour about the demise of your marriage, they will charge you for it. They may also not be able to provide the emotional support you need. Reach out to friends and family instead and only rely on your attorney for legal advice.
Our Divorce Lawyers in Charleston Will Protect Your Rights
At The Peck Law Firm, our Charleston divorce lawyers know the difficulties associated with ending your marriage. We are also here to make it as easy as possible for you. Call us now at (843) 631-7117 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.