Affording Divorce
If you have concerns about affording divorce, it might be making the whole process more stressful that you want it to be. Our attorney can work with you to see how you can manage the cost of your divorce. Here is what you should know.
Affording Divorce | How Expensive Can It Get?
Aside from the eventual division of assets, the cost of your divorce will be your attorney’s retainer. This will vary, and is determined by the complexity of the case. You could incur additional costs if your case drags on, and if you have to involve other professionals like paralegals, doctors, psychologists, or forensic accountants.
If you aren’t the moneyed party, you might be able to get your spouse to contribute toward your attorney’s fees through a court order. A judge might order direct payments, or might take a shared asset, liquidate it, and reserve that for attorney’s fees.
There are other ways to keep costs down. Attorneys bill by the hour, so the more work you can do for your attorney, the less you’ll have to pay. Secure important financial documents before your first consultation. Provide other documentation before you file for divorce in New York, including documentation of your spouse’s finances. This will save you money during the “discovery” phase when both parties exchange information.
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Affording Divorce | Types of Divorce
Seeking to dissolve a marriage through no-fault grounds makes it easier for spouses to achieve an uncontested divorce in New York. In an uncontested divorce, spouses agree on issues like spousal maintenance, child custody, child support, and property division, and therefore do not require the assistance of the court to determine these issues. That leaves more control in the hands of the divorcing parties, and avoids the expense of litigation.
Unfortunately, not all couples agree on how to handle child custody, spousal maintenance, child support, and property division issues. Spouses who cannot resolve these issues must rely on the court system. A contested divorce can last several weeks, or months, and in some cases a year or more.
Are you worried about affording divorce? There are options that you and your spouse have to keep the costs lower. If you want to know your options, please call our Buffalo divorce attorney Randy Gugino today for a consultation.
