It is common knowledge that divorce is expensive; however, the reasons behind the high price tag are often not as clear. For instance, most people tend to focus chiefly on expenses associated with child support and potential alimony.
However, these expenses are not why divorce can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to keep the price down. If you intend to be frugal with your divorce, it is a good idea to do as much work on your own as possible and to be careful when contacting your attorney to save money.
Why should I DIY?
Naturally, there are certain parts of your divorce that should be the domain of your attorney. Nobody should expect you to write your own legal brief. However, a lot of the necessary background knowledge surrounding a divorce is not specific to the law. For instance, it is a certainty that your lawyer will need to have information on all of the assets you and your ex-spouse hold in tandem.
The lawyer can do this research on his or her own time, but this will cost you money. Taking it upon yourself to act as a “go for” for your lawyer can save you a lot on the bottom line.
What are some good communication strategies?
Divorce can be as expensive in emotional tolls as it is in financial ones. It is important for you to have a robust support system in place as you go through this life transition. However, that support should come in the form of trusted friends and family members or professional therapists. It is not a good idea to call your lawyer to complain about your ex, in other words.