Cheap Divorce Tips – A Must Read

Is there such a thing as a cheap divorce? With the current trend in most divorce proceedings these days, the correct term will have to be cheaper divorce. No matter what other people may say, there really is no such thing as going through such a process for free. The mere fact that a person will try to move to another domicile, or consulting the services of an attorney, or even ordering a do-it-yourself (DIY) divorce kit online all constitute to spending more money than usual in an effort to gain legal emancipation from a spouse. But there are ways on how to get cheap divorce, or rather cheaper divorce by following some of these steps.

1. Always, always, always ask for legal counseling – even if you intend to do most of the work or present your case at the divorce courts yourself. Ask your potential attorney if his or her company has un-bundling divorce services (where you can pick and choose the exact services you want to pay for only); pre-paid legal services (wherein you pay for the attorney’s full services but on a monthly rate only); or pro-bono services (free legal counseling, usually on grounds of bankruptcy.) In any event, a qualified lawyer will make this process go much faster as opposed to you simply guessing as to what you should be doing next. The rule of thumb for most divorce cases is this: the faster the process goes - the less money both parties will spend.

2. No matter how painful this process may go, never close your communication ties with your soon-to-be-ex. Again, it is important to make sure that the divorce papers of both parties are filed immediately and that child custody issues are discussed intimately. Aside from that, there are papers that would need the signatories of both husband and wife, especially when it comes to the dissolution of joint property and financial statements. Many separating couples are now choosing mediatory divorce, rather than to actually bring the procedure to the courts. Mediatory divorce means “civilly” talking about an uncontested separation – or almost uncontested. Unresolved issues are discussed behind closed doors with only the two parties and their legal representatives (if any) present. The judge will only come into the picture when all possible legal entanglements are already resolved.

3. Be reasonable rather than vindictive… and hope with all hope that your soon-to-be-ex follows the same rule. When it comes to divorce, there is no such thing as an equal split. There is a documented case in Arizona wherein one spouse demanded for the “equal” share of the printed encyclopedia from A to M-Me, while the other party should only be getting the Mi-My to Z books. Although this may seem hilarious now, it is a good example of asking for “equal” but an unreasonable request regarding joint properties. Try not to get too hung up on numbers if you do want the divorce proceedings to end inexpensively. A fair split is rarely an equal split. Try to focus your attention on more important matters: like back taxes, debts made under your joint accounts, credits that may be taken still under your name after the divorce, your kids’ unpaid education funds, etc. These are more important financial issues that you might be unfairly saddled with on your own. Assuredly, these issues are more important than splitting the encyclopedia books in half.