Divorce is often expected to be overwhelming, confusing, and aggravating. Many people don’t anticipate the overall cost. When you take into account all the money you could potentially lose in your divorce, it can be a staggering amount. Depending on a number of factors, such as the length of your marriage and any premarital agreements, your divorce could end up costing you more than you expect. A good Metro East, IL, divorce lawyer can help you lower divorce costs.

Lowering Your Divorce Costs in Metro East

If you are seeking a divorce in Illinois, it is reasonable to conclude that you are not trying to lose the majority of your finances doing so. There are many different things you can try and do to lower your divorce costs. Apart from the cost of your divorce, you have to take many other factors into consideration. Divorce is often a process that consumes most of your time, and things can get quite chaotic if you don’t have help. A good divorce lawyer can provide that help.

An experienced divorce lawyer can help you document everything as you go along and provide you with solid advice on ways you can lower costs when necessary. The more contentious a divorce is, the harder it can be to finalize. There are some divorces that drag on for years simply because one of the spouses refuses to compromise in any way. These divorces are often considerably more expensive. Here are some important ways you can reduce divorce costs:

  • Learn about divorce. Divorce is largely considered a last resort for a marriage that has become irreparably broken for reasons known only to the spouses involved. Before moving forward with a divorce, you may want to learn more about your options and read up on the divorce process.

    It may not be as straightforward as you might expect. You may want to look into Illinois’s divorce laws to avoid being blindsided in court by opposing counsel.

  • Uncontested divorce. One of the simplest ways to try to reduce your divorce costs is to try your hardest to pursue an uncontested divorce. Regrettably, not everyone has this option at their disposal. An uncontested divorce is generally cheaper, as you have likely already worked out every detail with your spouse before filing. This includes child custody agreements, asset division, and spousal support, among other factors.

    An uncontested divorce tends to be an amicable decision that both partners are comfortable with, hence the lack of contention. The entire process is often much cheaper and easier to navigate on your own if you don’t have a lawyer. If there is any hope at all that you and your spouse could reach a compromise, you may want to take it.

  • Mediation. If you sense there is going to be some contention in your divorce, you may want to try and bring in a mediator who can help you and your spouse through the negotiation process. A mediator is an unbiased third party, generally a lawyer, who stays neutral and does what they can to assist both parties in reaching a mutually beneficial agreement. Mediation may help you avoid the courtroom and reach a compromise.
  • Try to avoid litigation. Litigation is where the majority of your divorce costs are going to come from. If at all possible, you may want to avoid litigation as much as you can, though that may not always be an acceptable course of action. Using the court to decide the outcome of your divorce should be viewed largely as a last resort if you and your spouse are totally unable to compromise or even negotiate.

FAQs

Q: What Makes a Divorce So Expensive?

A: Not every divorce is going to be expensive. It depends largely on the circumstances of the divorce, who is filing, the grounds for the divorce, and any compromises that can be reached. If you are able to file for an uncontested divorce, you likely will not have to pay as much for your divorce as you would if the divorce were contested. If your divorce is contested, you will have to pay for legal fees, possible alimony or child support payments, and more.

Q: What Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Illinois?

A: There is no telling how much a divorce lawyer might cost in Illinois. Every divorce case is different, with each case having its own details and circumstances that are going to impact the total amount you will end up paying your lawyer. In addition, your lawyer’s fee is going to take into consideration your lawyer’s experience, education, resources, and current caseload, among other factors that may be unique to the lawyer in question.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Lawyer?

A: While hiring a lawyer can be a substantial expense in the pursuit of your divorce, it may also be a wholly necessary one. Having an experienced lawyer on your side may be beneficial in multiple ways, including various setbacks you may have to deal with. There’s no way to determine the exact path that your case might take. Having someone on your side who has experience handling cases like yours before can only help in the long run.

Q: How Can I Reduce My Divorce Costs?

A: There are multiple effective ways to reduce your divorce costs, but ultimately, you are going to have to decide what you are comfortable with and what you are willing to go without in your divorce case. One of the most effective ways to reduce divorce costs is to work out an agreement with your spouse and try to seek an uncontested divorce. This is not going to be easy and may be impossible in some situations, but it might be worth trying if only to lower costs.

If You Need Legal Help, Reach Out Today

Recognizing different avenues to reduce your divorce costs is paramount. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you work out a plan to make sure your divorce goes as smoothly as it can. They can provide you with solid legal advice and help when things look dire. The legal team at Stange Law Firm is here to help. Contact us to speak with a member of our team about your case today.