Many people worry about the expenses incurred after a divorce. That is, it might worry you how much alimony or child support you may have to pay, or how much you are eligible to receive.
However, depending on your particular situation and what your assets look like, a divorce can potentially cost tens of thousands of dollars itself. According to Forbes Magazine, the best way to save money on your divorce is to try and keep it out of the courtroom.
Why are trial divorces so expensive?
When most people think about a divorce, they imagine it taking place in a courtroom in front of a judge. This variety of divorce is a trial divorce. Trial divorces are the most expensive variety of divorce because they require a lot of lawyers to negotiate the process.
However, there are alternative means of having a divorce if your situation permits it. Both mediated a collaborative divorce take place outside of the courtroom and across a conference table. In a mediated divorce, no lawyers are necessary. In a collaborative divorce, both parties have their own lawyer but, again, the divorce does not take place in a courtroom.
Are there disadvantages to mediated and collaborative divorces?
Depending on how complex your situation is, a mediated divorce may not provide the structure you need to ensure a fair outcome. In a mediated divorce, the mediator does not actively advocate for either side; rather, the mediator is just there to attempt to get both parties to agree.
Both collaborative divorce and mediation require that both parties be able to compromise. If you and your ex-spouse are not on talking terms, you may need to go through a trial divorce.
