Five Ways to Save Money in a Divorce

There is no doubt about it, divorces can get very expensive. Despite the constant rhetoric repeating this axiom, they do not always have to cost and arm and a leg. There are plenty of tactics available during a divorce to keep costs down – even with an attorney! If you are facing divorce, working with the right kind of attorney is key to ensuring your finances are respected.

So, what are the best ways to save money during a divorce?

Keep the Fighting to a Minimum – Separating property, debts, and even children is usually contentious. The more amicable the case, however, the more likely it is your finances will thank you. Each time your attorney is forced to fight in court, it likely increases your attorney bill tremendously. Sometimes it may not be worth fighting over the forks and knives, so learn to choose your battles wisely.

Be an Active Participant – Your attorney can do pretty much everything in your case. To accomplish those tasks will often take quite a bit of time. Respectful attorneys may offer you the opportunity to help draft documents, organize documents, or prepare information for your case. This strategy is useful for two reasons. First, you know your case better than anyone and may be able to complete the task more effectively than your counsel. Second, it may be a simple task that can save you hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars if you collaborate with your attorney.

Do Not Ignore Your Attorney – It might make sense in your mind. To save money, just do not involve your attorney. This not only leads to more bills on average but likely worse results as well. Your attorney is usually on a schedule with deadlines imposed by the Court. If your attorney asks you a question or is looking for information, limiting your communication may lead to difficult following the court mandates. Your attorney will have to spend more time (and money) tracking you and your information down, which leads to bigger invoices and worse outcomes.

Negotiate with Your Spouse – This might not always be possible. However, in situations where two partners are still effectively working together, minimizing attorney involvement can be a great strategy. Now, the big caveat is that you never want to agree to anything or sign anything without your attorney’s advice. Negotiating with your spouse can be efficient and effective to helping close the gap and reaching more expedient resolutions. Your attorney can then take that information and work with opposing counsel to finalize the divorce with much less effort.

Find the Right Attorney

Some attorneys treat each case the same and work as a matter of habit. Step 1 – get the new case. Step 2 – file the new case. Step 3 – send discovery. Step 4 – file a motion. Step 5 – blah, blah, blah. Sometimes, this methodical approach to divorce costs you money unnecessarily. The experienced litigators at the law offices of Magnuson Lowell PS treat each case individually. Certain cases requiring different tactics, and we are ready to help you no matter the concern. Call today for a free case evaluation!

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