Recent findings by Bankrate have revealed the average cost of a divorce in the U.S. to be $15,000 per person, which could even be more depending on the situation so how do you avoid this fee?. To get a divorce without money, you may consider any of the three options below. The type of divorce that makes this possible is “uncontested divorce,” also called “friendly divorce.” It allows couples to negotiate and agree on the terms of their marital settlement without involving the court.
Options for getting a divorce without money
Option 1 – DIY divorce
DIY divorce means Do-it-yourself divorce, and it is the best option to consider if you don’t want to spend money. It is uncontested and allows the you to manage and control all the process. You must visit the state laws and check the requirements for the process, fill out the necessary documents for the divorce, and file the papers with the court. DIY is considered a friendly divorce because the spouses get the chance to negotiate the terms between themselves.
Option 2 – Collaborative divorce
Collaborative divorce is a cooperative agreement with a negotiation process that requires the presence of both of your attorneys. It may involve other professionals as well, especially financial professionals. Although you may have to pay their fees, it would be separately and often negotiable.
Option 3 – Divorce mediation
Divorce mediation is a voluntary process of settlement that can be used by couples and domestic partners who want a divorce. Divorce mediation involves inviting a trained, neutral person (a third party) called a mediator to help both parties discuss and resolve any disputes. Mediators can be lawyers but don’t have to be. Divorce mediation costs little or no money, especially when a lawyer is not involved.
Why you may want to consider Uncontested Divorce?
- It minimizes the cost of a divorce
If the combined value of a couple’s assets does not justify the cost of an expensive legal divorce, it is wise to avert the process—uncontested divorce supports this firmly.
- Mutual agreement between both parties
In an uncontested divorce, both spouses agree and negotiate on what needs settlement and do not have to involve a judge or go to the court to make a decision.
What may hinder an Uncontested Divorce?
You can indeed go about an uncontested divorce alone or employ the service of a lawyer. Still, you cannot do it with one lawyer because both parties definitely would have their interests and preferences, and the ethical principles of a lawyer allow one lawyer to represent only one of the parties. Therefore, if both parties cannot agree on the divorce terms, an uncontested divorce cannot work.
Cost of Uncontested Divorce with a Lawyer
If you decide to use the services of a lawyer for an uncontested divorce, the cost will depend on:
- the lawyer
- your location
- the payment arrangements
If your spouse is amicable, there can be a fee or payment waiver. But depending on the situation’s complexity, lawyers can accept a negotiable amount for the process and may bill hourly.
Conclusion
Ending a marriage or separating from a partner is never a straightforward process, and if not appropriately managed may become pathetic. But if the spouses can maintain calm, control the heat, and agree on how to divide their marital assets and other issues of concern, they may wish to consider an uncontested divorce. Generally, an uncontested divorce is the only way to get a low-cost or cost-free divorce.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it possible to get a divorce without spending money?
If you have a financial challenge, you can get a divorce without spending anything. There is a provision made by your state called indigent divorce or fee waiver procedure which would allow you to file a divorce and request the court to waive all the court fees associated with the process. This procedure is designed specifically to assist people with limited finances for divorce.
- How do I obtain a divorce form?
If you and your spouse have agreed on a divorce, the next step is filing a joint divorce petition, which will help you end the marriage amicably. You can check online or your state website to find your local divorce or family court. The website should have a link to direct you on how to download or print the form.
- Can I fill out a divorce form Online?
Some divorce processes require a lot of paperwork, but most of these documents are now available online. However, before you file for a divorce online, you must ensure your situation will give you your desired results with an online divorce form. An uncontested divorce is the best fit for this process.
