When You Can’t Afford a Divorce
Is your marriage becoming unbearably boring? Or maybe you are totally turned off by your spouse? Have things become violent, or do you fear for your safety and for the safety of your children? Whatever your situation, nothing is more exasperating than wanting to get out of a marriage and being unable to see a path forward because you just don’t have the funds to get a divorce. Still, there are things you can do to get things headed in the direction you want to go.
Steps to Take Now
If you’re certain that a divorce is the right move for you, the first thing you need to do is eliminate excessive spending. Cutting out non-essentials from your daily routine will add up more quickly than you think! When it comes to big purchases like furniture or a vehicle—anything with long term financial obligations—try putting it off. Lastly, try putting away some money in a private account or a short-term interest-bearing CD that will earn some money.
Reduce Divorce Costs
The cost of a combative divorce can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, so it is beneficial to maintain a civilized relationship with your soon-to-be ex. Couples who are splitting up are naturally going to have some pretty raw emotions, but keeping communications courteous and affable is good both from a human perspective and from a financial standpoint.
Alternatives to Court
Working out a settlement agreement without acquiring the costs of a trial can be done in a few different ways. Settlement conferences are meetings where each spouse and their attorneys get together to hammer out arrangements related to asset division, custody, and financial support. They may be mediated by a judge or mediator, and give both parties the chance to express themselves and get legal opinions on the strength of their cases.
Consider Mediation
Mediation is an excellent option for those who want to get through a divorce without a lot of expense and time. It’s a service involving someone who works with the two of you to resolve matters amicably, and costs much less than what two attorneys competing for different outcomes might rack up.
Other Options
There are still other possibilities for those who cannot afford attorney’s fees. One might be asking your spouse to take care of the divorce costs. If they are agreeable the issue is solved. If they balk, there’s always the chance that you can ask the court to assign these costs to your ex after the fact.
Other things to consider if you are desperate to get out of your marriage is using credit cards to pay your attorney, or even taking out a loan or borrowing money from family or friends. Some individuals have even been known to crowdfund using a platform designed to raise money. It’s one more option for those willing to give it a shot.
Advocating for You
The experienced Boca Raton divorce attorneys at WiseLieberman always look out for you, searching for ways to create the best possible outcomes. Whether your divorce is going to be simple or complex, call us for a confidential consultation today.
