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Planning Your Divorce When You're Broke
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By: XSTILLA.COM
Dealing with the end of a marriage is usually stressful enough without having to worry about how you're going to afford the legal aspect of the split, not to mention making the adjustment to living with one income instead of two.
If you're still in the "planning" stage of divorce, when no official papers have yet been filed, be sure this is the actually right time to begin financially. Divorce can often be a long, drawn out, complicated process, particularly when there are children involved or if there are shared assets to be concerned with. The timing of the separation or divorce needs some careful thought, honestly asking yourself if this is really the best time to part, or if your emotions are just trying to speed up the process.
Keep as many records as you can, documenting everything that seems even remotely relevant, and making copies of all important papers before the divorce begins. Getting these documents later through your spouse's lawyer can be expensive, so it makes sense to gather everything you think you may need including information about income and taxes, expenses, any investments the two of you might have made together, and shared property.
The internet is an excellent source of helpful information for planning a divorce with limited funds, as well as for finding legal documents that can printed and then filed at your local courthouse. Many divorce laws vary from state to state, and there are web sites that feature state specific forms as well as complete packages of forms depending on the type of divorce you are planning, such uncontested, no-fault, or for marriages with or without children.
Often times, as soon as the divorce process begins, the expenses start to multiply rapidly. Court costs and legal fees can often drain your financial resources, but luckily, the large majority of divorces will never end up in a courtroom with the need for an attorney. Many divorce cases are pro se, meaning the individuals represent themselves without any legal counsel. Analysts and planners that specialize in matters of divorce are also available if the dissolution of your marriage is an amicable one and the only legal support you need is for dividing all of your joint finances.
There's also the option of what's referred to as a collaborative divorce, where both parties and their respective lawyers agree that the case will be settled out of court, which not only takes less time, but is also considerably less expensive. Yet another option is to settle on a legal separation for now rather than finalizing a divorce. This choice is made by many couples who aren't quite ready to finalize their papers for reasons such as finances, health insurance, child support, or even for religious reasons.
Even though you may be broke right now, it's still possible to plan and prepare for a divorce without digging yourself further in debt. With the proper knowledge, some preparation, planning, and patience, it really doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get divorced.
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