When it comes to divorce, a couple should be prepared to spend money. However, some of these expenses can be reduced, while some can even be avoided.
The dissolution of a marriage doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In this article, we’ll share 6 tactics to help you save money on divorce in Connecticut.
Negotiate all the Issues with Your Spouse
The first factor determining the cost of a divorce and possible additional expenses is the type of divorce process used. In Connecticut, there are 2 main ways to proceed.
Contested Divorce
If one spouse disagrees with the decision to end the relationship or the couple can’t decide on property division, spousal support (alimony), child support, child custody, visiting schedule, or any other aspect, the divorce becomes contested.
Often, such a proceeding involves a series of court hearings. Both sides argue their positions, and the judge makes a decision based on local Family Law and the case’s specifics.
Usually, contested divorces lead to couples hiring lawyers. On average, in Connecticut, a divorce lawyer’s hourly rate is between $300 and $750.
Uncontested Divorce
If the spouses decide jointly to end the marriage, agree to use no-fault grounds for divorce, and negotiate all possible aspects related to the breakup, they qualify for an uncontested divorce.
In most cases, such a process is relatively quick because spouses can avoid lengthy legal battles and get a decree once the mandatory waiting period ends. In Connecticut, it is 90 days.
The relative freedom of spouses to choose is one of the benefits of uncontested divorce. They can decide how they want to divide their joint assets, what type of custody suits them, whether spousal support should be paid, etc. A couple can negotiate without an attorney, which means they can save thousands of dollars on legal fees.
Control Your Emotions
Being too emotional during the breakup can lead to stress, mental health issues, and additional expenses.
If one or both spouses start blaming the other for destroying the marriage and arguing about the terms, most likely, they won’t be able to negotiate peacefully. It places the possibility of an uncontested divorce in question because emotions may not let the spouses come to any compromises.
In this case, mediation can be an option. The spouses can hire a specialist to help them discuss contested marital aspects and come to an agreement. The average cost of a mediator’s help is from $100 to $300 per hour. Depending on the complexity of the situation, the price may be higher. Although not every couple succeeds in solving all issues in one session, such a procedure may be cheaper than hiring a lawyer.
Consider DIY Divorce
Couples can hire lawyers not only to handle the case but also to prepare their documents. However, each task a lawyer does leads to additional costs. The alternative would be to do it yourself.
To do it, the spouses need to go to the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch website and download the suitable forms in their specific situation. Depending on each county’s requirements and whether there are children in the marriage, the document package may differ.
Although this way of preparing forms is inexpensive in terms of money, it can be pretty time-consuming, especially if the person filling out the documents is not familiar with legal terminology.
Think About Web Divorce
Benjamin Franklin once said: “Remember that time is money.” Online divorce can be a perfect chance to save both.
The first thing to know is that Internet divorce doesn’t mean that you will get divorced over the internet. You can only dissolve your marriage through the court, with the judge issuing the corresponding decree. This term refers to preparing an application for divorce online.
Spouses whose divorce is uncontested can search for divorce companies one such company is connecticutonlinedivorce.com and entrust them with the paperwork. After you share information about your marriage, the platform completes divorce forms online for you. It’s a relatively fast process. In most cases, the forms are ready within a couple of business days. Additionally, it’s more affordable than hiring a lawyer to prepare the divorce papers.
Try to Waive Service and Filing Fees
In Connecticut, every petitioner willing to apply for divorce will need to pay a $350 court fee. Spouses whose financial situation does not allow them to pay this amount may ask the court to cancel it. The filing-for-divorce spouse can fill out the Fee Waiver Form and submit proof of hardship. The judge will review the issue, and if the inability to pay is confirmed, the fee may be waived.
In addition, under the Connecticut divorce rules, the plaintiff must provide copies of the document package to the respondent. It can’t be done personally. A state marshal must serve the other party. They charge $50 for their services, but just like filing fees, the petitioner can request a waiver by filling out Application For Waiver of Fees/Appointment of Counsel Family.
Be Organized
Good organization can be the key to saving both time and money. For example, you can draw up a divorce plan:
- Learn all the details of the divorce procedure in Connecticut;
- Decide on assets division, alimony, child custody/support, etc.;
- Set a budget for your divorce;
- Prepare the divorce papers;
- Talk to the court clerk about the fee cancelation procedure, etc.
It’s optional, but having determined the main stages of getting a divorce process, you can understand where you can save money and what you can and cannot do yourself.
Final Thoughts
All of the above tactics can help spouses reduce the costs related to the divorce process in Connecticut. However, it’s crucial to understand that there is no single, universal action plan for everyone. Each person needs to find their way. In such circumstances, a person should not just think about saving money but also about saving their energy and nerves.
