Everyone has heard at least one divorce horror story where someone loses a fortune fighting a protracted and bitter court battle. The end of a marriage does not have to leave anyone penniless, though.
Unlike traditional divorce where each spouse draws battle lines, an uncontested divorce is one where both parties agree to all the terms of the divorce. This type of divorce is typically the least expensive way to end a marriage.
Why is divorce often costly?
Typically, the more disagreements a divorcing couple has, the costlier the divorce may become. The following factors typically influence the overall cost of a divorce:
- Whether the spouses agree on divorce terms
- Whether the couple has children
- Whether the couple is amenable to collaborative divorce
- Whether either spouse seeks spousal support
Even though your marriage seems like a personal matter, it is a legally binding contract between you, your spouse and the state. To dissolve the marriage, you must go through a lawsuit. Consequently, an attorney’s legal fees or retainer may also affect a divorce’s price tag considerably.
How may an uncontested divorce save you money?
If you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse agree about how to end your marriage, you do not have to pay to fight over matters. You also likely do not have to pay for the services of personal investigators, forensic accountants, child evaluators or other divorce professionals.
Divorces are not typically free, however.
Even if you and your spouse have a meeting of the minds, you still likely must pay filing fees and other associated costs. Nonetheless, if you are looking for a bright financial future after your divorce concludes, an uncontested divorce may save you enough money to put you on the right path.