On average, a divorce can cost up to $20,000 in professional fees and court costs. This is a lot of money for most people, which means it is important to find ways to reduce or keep the cost in check. One way is to work in good faith to resolve the case in an expeditious manner.
The less time that is spent negotiating a settlement, the quicker the process can end. Therefore, it may be in an individual’s best interest to eschew emotion and try to come up with a deal that meets the needs of both sides in the least amount of time.
While it may be tempting to engage the representation of a friend or neighbor who is in a different practice area, an attorney who has extensive experience in these types of family law matters should be chosen. Many people think that their legal counsel should be aggressive and make everything a battle, but this can just prolong the process while increasing the bill. It can also be harmful if there are children involved who are watching their parents fight.
The costs will also increase for the party who ends up leaving the family home. Moving into an apartment or a rental house will require a substantial outlay in terms of upfront costs and security deposits in addition to having to acquire furnishings. People will also now be living on one income, which is why it can be important to streamline the process as much as possible. This does not mean, however, that people should yield to every demand just to get things over with. An attorney can provide assistance in this regard by negotiating an overall settlement that keeps a client’s future well-being in mind.
