How to Make Sure a Divorce Doesn't Hurt Your Savings
January 14, 2019
Ah, divorce! Not only do you have to worry about your kids, your custody right and your ex-spouse–you now have to worry about your wallet too. If only heartbreak didn’t come with a legal fee, life would be a lot easier to handle. Unfortunately, for all of us, it’s not that simple. You need to talk to the guys in suits.
Luckily, most of us are not negotiating multi-million-dollar separations, and just a little effort can mean saving big. The less you do yourself the more you have to delegate, and that delegation doesn’t come cheap. So do your research, organize your finances and recognize that no one will be happy with who gets the dog. With just a little work it doesn’t have to be painful. Well, not that painful, anyway.
1) DIY divorcing
You’ve heard of DIY crafting? Well there’s also DIY divorce. It might not be as Pinterest-friendly, but doing the divorce yourself is the best way to save money, especially if your divorce involves simple assets and you’re still on speaking terms. Talk it over and assemble the necessary documents, and maybe hire a lawyer to give it a once-over before filing. For most of us with a simple financial situation this is an easy way to get things done.
2) Consider hiring a mediator
If things are tense or assets confusing, however, consider hiring a mediator, a kind of separation guru there to help your divorce. Mediators don’t have to be lawyers–they can be anything from mental health professionals to financial advisors, or even just a third pair of eyes. This is a great way to get a third-party to help you divide assets without getting involved with nasty legal fees–mediators come at a much cheaper price, and because they’re hired by both parties, they’re not incentivized to delay proceedings for financial means.
3) Paralegals are your friend
So what exactly is a paralegal? Well, paralegals are like lawyers who don’t charge a lawyer’s fee. When it comes to nitty-gritty details and difficult legal minutiae, they are a fantastic option if you want to avoid calling your lawyer. They can help advise your court proceedings, hearing dates and other questions that your lawyer will answer only at a cost. Even better, paralegals and legal assistants respond quicker than lawyers, which can really help when you’re having difficulty hearing back from the attorney you’ve hired.
4) Get a free consultation
Sensing a theme here about lawyers? If you do have to get a lawyer, make sure you get the right one. Getting a lawyer you can trust is extremely important, and can turn a disaster into a relatively painless affair. Many lawyers offer one free consultation, so make sure to shop around. This is also a great way to get pro-bono legal advice, if you just have a few questions to ask.
5) Do your homework
Whether you’re going DIY or you’ve hired an attorney, having your documents in order will save you money in the end. You have to pay for a lawyer’s time, so make sure you know your questions, and can use the time effectively without having to drag things out. Working with your ex-spouse to organize your finances means doing a lot of the legwork that otherwise you’d have to pay someone to do. They more you work the less you pay, and the more organized, the more savings you keep for yourself.
Original article posted on Allrates.com