Finances and Divorce

Finances and Divorce

A major cause of divorce is a disagreement over how to handle your family financial matters. If you have just made the decision to divorce you may be wondering how you are going to pay your legal bills through the process. You may be facing a myriad of problems and not sure how to stay financially afloat.

When I work with clients in Bucks County, PA, I am very conscious of keeping costs down. In our office we work efficiently and based on 21 years of experience always have many suggestions on how to sail through the process minimizing your legal fees.

Here are five ways to take control of your divorce:

Choose great lawyers

Initially you may think that you will simply hire the cheapest lawyer. You know the saying, “you get what you pay for.” Having an inexpensive lawyer often means that they are also inexperienced or have had problems building their practice so they offer a discounted service. A great lawyer will not only be able to offer alternatives but will make sure your divorce is handled properly saving you time and money.

Agree to mediation

Mediation is a process that allows you to come to the table with your spouse and make decisions together with the help of a professional. The mediation process avoids lengthy battles and expensive court costs.

Have all your paperwork, facts and figures

Before you sit down to review the process, do your homework on the documents you will need. Develop an organized system for your financials, Will, Prenuptial agreement, marriage license, home deed, and other documents you may think are important. Your lawyer should give you a list for you to prepare. If you show up for a meeting unprepared, you are wasting your time and money.

Keep your children at the center of your mind

So many times parents start to battle about their divorce when their emotions take over. Yes, you may be disappointed, sad, or even furious at your ex. Keep the focus of your divorce on your children and you will find the best reason of all to keep the process peaceful. Peaceful divorces are significantly less expensive.

Be prudent in how often you contact your attorney because ” Time = Money”

Lawyers charge for their time including phone calls and reading/writing emails. So, do not call every single time you have a question or concern. Consider developing a list of questions so that each conversation addresses more than one concern. Also, be reasonable with what you contact your lawyer about. For instance, you may be furious that your ex has not looked at some paperwork he/she received yesterday, but give it time and do not involve your lawyer right away.

Divorce does not have to be expensive. Make sure you have expert representation which will save you time and money. Consider committing to a peaceful divorce through mediation which will be easier on your children. Be prepared and reasonable through the entire process.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. This web site is designed for general information only. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your specific situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and emails. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.

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