What Can I do to Reduce the Cost of Divorce?
Ending a marriage is a complicated process that requires couples to contend with a wide range of complex issues. Unfortunately, resolving these issues can be both time-consuming and expensive, which often adds to the stresses of divorce. There are, however, a few steps that couples can take to reduce the cost of marital separation, so if you are thinking about divorce and have questions about the costs of ending your marriage, it is important to contact a skilled Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer who can address your concerns.
Organize Your Financial Records
One of the most complex aspects of divorce is accounting for a couple’s assets and then dividing that property fairly, a process that requires the use of a wide variety of financial documentation, including:
- Recent tax returns;
- Recent pay stubs;
- Bank statements;
- Credit card statements;
- Statements from mortgage and car loans;
- Copies of titles and deeds; and
- Documentation related to investment and retirement accounts.
Couples can save themselves a significant amount of time, effort, and money during their divorces by organizing these types of financial records. This will not only speed up the process of categorizing and valuing property, but will also help the parties avoid the cost of having to pay a professional to hunt down their records.
Consolidating Your Communications
Being prepared is one of the best ways that divorcing couples can cut down on the cost of ending their marriages. This includes consolidating communications with your divorce team by:
- Reviewing the issues that you want to discuss ahead of time;
- Scheduling calls in advance to make communications more efficient;
- Opting for email when messages are short; and
- Keeping communications clear and succinct.
Taking these steps can help couples ensure that their divorces don’t drag on due to a series of miscommunications or misunderstandings.
Choosing Your Divorce Process
One of the most expensive aspects of divorce is litigation, which is necessary when couples cannot come to an out-of-court agreement regarding property division, child custody, or alimony. Fortunately, it is possible for divorcing parties to avoid trial and to settle a case with the help of mediators and attorneys. Mediation is one possible alternative to litigation and involves the use of a neutral third party who can help the parties reach an agreement. Although this divorce process can save couples money because it allows them to communicate directly with each other, it will require the hiring of a mediator, which can be expensive. Similarly, a collaborative divorce, in which the parties agree to work together on resolving divorce-related issues is an important alternative to taking a case to trial and can save parties the cost of litigation.
Get Legal Help Today
If you and your spouse have decided to end your marriage, you need an experienced attorney on your team who can help protect your interests. Please call dedicated Fort Lauderdale divorce lawyer Sandra Bonfiglio, P.A. at 954-945-7591 to learn more about how we can help with your own divorce.
https://www.sandrabonfiglio.com/important-steps-to-take-after-the-finalization-of-your-divorce/