Anyone who has had at least one divorce in their life will tell you that the process is nowhere near cheap. Divorce is already a stressful time for all couples due to separating from their partner. When you add money matters to it, the situation can become too overwhelming. In these times, a Massachusetts divorce law attorney can provide a sense of relief.
No one, not even your attorney, can tell you how much money you are going to need for your divorce. However, there are sure ways you can lower that amount. With a bit of planning and strategic thinking, you can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Factors that influence the cost of your divorce
-
The divorce process.
The type of divorce process you choose greatly influences how much money you will spend. The most expensive divorce process is one that takes place in a court. This is because it involves an attorney and court fees. Cheaper forms of divorce may include mediated and collaborative divorces. However, these two processes require collaboration from both spouses.
-
If the divorce is contested.
It goes without saying that contested divorces in Massachusetts are much more expensive than uncontested ones. This is because things are already decided between the spouses in the latter, and they have agreements on important matters like child custody, debt division, etc. On the other hand, a contested divorce typically requires you to hire an attorney and go to court, which is expensive.
-
If you have children.
The two most complex types of divorces are where the couple has lots of assets and has children together. The more complicated the divorce is, the more money you need to put into it. Couples with children have to deal with a number of issues that other couples do not, such as child custody battles, child support, and other child-centered issues. These issues can especially cost you more money if you and your partner have differing opinions about what is best for the children.
-
Marital assets.
The more marital assets you have, the more complex your divorce is going to be. High-assets divorces usually involve lots of real estates, investments, and equities. Organizing and valuing these assets will require you to hire a financial analyst, which will cost money.
-
Your divorce attorney.
Choosing a good divorce attorney is not only important to make sure you get your way. A bad attorney can drag out the process, increasing your costs. Moreover, bad attorneys often do not educate you properly about the process. This makes you vulnerable to mistakes in the courtroom that may cause problems in your claim. It is best to invest a reasonable amount of energy and time researching for a good attorney.
