Cheap Divorce

Getting a Cheap Divorce

Careful planning and a good communication are the keys to getting a cheap divorce. Of course, with any divorce there are necessary expenses that may not be avoided. However, you may be able to minimize the overall expense of ending your marriage.

Lawyer or Pro Se

When a person represents themselves in court, they are said to be acting “pro se”. Acting as your own attorney is one way to get a cheap divorce. Acting pro se is best when the marriage was brief, there are no children, and little or no property must be divided. Still, you must consider the expense of any mistakes you may make that a divorce attorney would avoid. For instance, an attorney should be consulted if there are child support and visitation issues because any mistakes you make could have untold consequences long in to the future. It may be best to find an attorney who will handle your case for pro bono or for a small fee.

Some of the best legal services may be obtained through local legal clinics that will represent people in divorce cases if they earn a low yearly income. Many of the best law schools in the country offer legal services to the public for no fee or a small fee. These legal clinics allow law students to represent you in a cheap divorce with the supervision of an experienced attorney.

The bar associations of most states have referral services for the public. They hold a list of cheap divorce attorneys and can refer you to an attorney in your state.

When you consult with an attorney, try to negotiate a flat fee instead of an hourly fee. In most situations, a flat fee will allow you to get a cheap divorce.

Uncontested Divorce

One way to assure a cheap divorce is to file for an uncontested divorce. You can buy a do-it-yourself kit over the internet that will help you file for an uncontested divorce in your state. Shop around for the kit that will work best for your situation. Before filing for an uncontested divorce pro se, you should consider the following:

• Do you and your spouse communicate well even when you disagree?
• Is your spouse rational and thoughtful, or does he/she have mood swings and act before thinking?
• Do you and your spouse have minor children?
• Do you and your spouse own any property, a car, a house, a savings account, retirement benefits, or investments?
• Do you and your spouse each have a job? Can you each support yourselves? Will one of you need some financial help to go back to school or find a job?
• Do you or your spouse have any medical needs that require appropriate health insurance? Who will pay for medical expenses and insurance premiums?
• Do you trust your spouse to disclose all property and debts? Is your spouse making credit card purchases that he/she may not tell you about? In the end, you could have to pay any debts incurred by your spouse even if you are not aware of them.

Important Documents

In any divorce, even a cheap divorce, each spouse must fully disclose all financial matters. Be sure to get a copy of all documents regarding:

• Savings accounts
• Checking accounts
• Certificates of Deposit
• Mutual funds
• Home equity loans
• Brokerage accounts
• Credit card accounts
• Mortgage information
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Homeowner’s insurance
• Medical insurance
• Property titles
• Vehicle titles
• Tax returns for the last five years
• Six months of pay stubs
• 401K plan
• IRA
• Keogh plan
• Wills and trusts
• Safe deposit boxes

Getting a cheap divorce is not difficult, as long as you plan carefully and communicate honestly with your spouse throughout the process.

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