Getting divorced is a very expensive process. Many people think about the expenses associated with child support and alimony, but the reality is that divorce itself can cost several thousand dollars.
Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the cost of divorce. According to Forbes Magazine, one of the most affordable ways to get divorced is to go with a collaborative divorce.
How does this save money?
Trial divorces are usually the most expensive variety of divorce. In a trial divorce, you may require the services of multiple judges, lawyers, paralegals and legal aides in order to get through the process. Retaining the services of these professionals costs you money.
In a typical collaborative divorce, the number of professionals involved is far fewer. Normally, each party will have their own lawyer and then all four individuals will sit at a conference table and discuss the terms of the divorce. Not only can collaborative divorce save you a lot of money, it can also save you a lot of time and give you more personal input on your divorce since you are negotiating it rather than litigating it.
What are the negatives?
In order for a collaborative divorce to be successful, both you and your ex-spouse need to commit to an equitable outcome. If one or both of you is trying to “get all you can” from the other, you are not going to be able to collaborate effectively. If this is the case, starting off with a trial divorce may be the better decision.
If you can still communicate well with your ex-spouse despite the end of your marriage, a collaborative divorce is a superior decision.