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A separation doesn’t have to drain your finances. In our latest blog, we share practical, cost-effective divorce tips to help you navigate the process without financial strain. From expert legal advice to personal finance strategies, discover how to safeguard your assets and maintain your peace of mind throughout the journey.
1. Educate yourself about Law and Assets and Debts
Learn as much as you can about Texas divorce and related issues. The more you know about the process the less money you will spend paying a Texas divorce attorney to educate you.
Research Texas divorce laws, whether through a local law library or the internet. BryanFagan.com is a comprehensive divorce and family law website in Texas. The site features many blog articles that answer questions regarding divorce and family law.
Reading the information on this site will dramatically improve your effectiveness and efficiency in interacting with your lawyer and negotiating with your spouse.
If your spouse handles the finances, you may not know what you own and what you owe. It would therefore be a good idea to:
- Obtain a copy of your credit report to ensure that you are aware of all open credit accounts.
- If necessary, hire an appraiser to appraise personal and real property.
- Do some investigating to be sure that you are aware of all of your spouse’s accounts.
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Get this FREE download about what you need to know before filing for divorce.
2. Mitigate Conflict
While there has most likely been conflict in your marriage leading you to divorce, do your best to manage your emotions and not escalate the conflict in the divorce.
If you want to keep your money instead of giving it to a lawyer, go to court only as a last resort. Try negotiation, try mediation, try arbitration, try settlement conferences but try not to litigate.
You may win at trial, but at what cost? Litigation is destructive, expensive, and stressful. Litigate only if you have no other option. Litigation is, unfortunately, necessary in some cases.
There are always cases and people that just cannot agree. In such cases that is why there are Judges and Trials.
3. Consider Mediation or arbitration
Going to trial is expensive. While trial is sometimes necessary to resolve disputes, mediation and arbitration are alternatives to court and are almost always less costly. These processes are often quicker, as well, and can be less adversarial and allow for creative solutions that are not possible at trial.
4. Try and Narrow Down Your Disagreements
By getting a list of things you and your spouse agree upon first you may be able to save money and time by only focusing on the areas of disagreement with your divorce lawyer.
5. Control Your Emotions
In divorce, it is easy to let your emotions take over and make all of your decisions. This is often a mistake especially if you are only fighting over property.
One example I witnessed during mediation involved a couple who had resolved nearly all their issues, except for one: a $200 kid’s bed. Both parents insisted they should have it and refused to compromise. The argument dragged on for three hours. By the time it was over, both parents could have bought the bed at least four times with the time and energy spent arguing.
Lawyers can help you get past the issues on which you and your ex disagree, but if you are arguing over little things, the cost of the argument will likely be more than the cost of replacing whatever property you think you should have.
6. Do not become penny-wise and pound-foolish.
An example of this can be of this could be if your lawyer advises using a particular mediator because they believe that the mediator could get the case settled refusing because you want to use the free mediation services provided by the county.
I have seen this happen a couple of times and it has not worked out for the client in that the case did not settle and they ended up paying much more because the case had to go to trial.
Another example is relying on your spouse’s lawyer to do all the work. An opposing counsel has no duty to you and may even have a duty to act to your detriment when it is permissible and to the benefit of your spouse who hired the lawyer.
7. Take advantage of your divorce lawyer’s support staff.
You can lower your own legal fees, however, by avoiding long telephone conversations and unnecessarily long meetings with your attorney.
When possible speak with your attorney’s legal assistants and other support staff when. They will be able to answer many of your questions as long as your question does not call for legal advice.
Legal assistants can answer questions, direct you where to go to court, look up upcoming events, and schedule you with a time to speak with your attorney. They are an important part of your representation and should be utilized whenever possible.
8. Other Ways to Lawyer Your Legal Fees
You can do the “homework” your Houston divorce lawyer gives and bring them the documents they request. By doing this your lawyer will not have to research those things on their own and bill you for their time.
You can also take as reasonable a position as possible in negotiations to avoid protracted litigation.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, embracing cost-effective divorce tips can greatly reduce the financial and emotional stress often tied to this major life transition. By prioritizing amicable mediation, careful financial planning, and cooperative decision-making, couples can navigate the process with financial prudence and dignity. These practical tips not only help preserve resources but also create a constructive path forward, allowing both parties to begin their new chapters on solid ground. Remember, a thoughtful approach to divorce isn’t just about saving money—it’s about investing in a peaceful and secure future.
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If you want to know more about what you can do, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “16 Steps to Help You Plan & Prepare for Your Texas Divorce”
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If you want to know more about how to prepare, CLICK the button below to get your FREE E-book: “13 Dirty Tricks to Watch Out For in Your Texas Divorce, and How to Counter Them” Today!”
Click HERE to download your free Financial Checklist!
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