Filing for divorce can get expensive fast. It’s not uncommon for traditional divorces to end up costing well over $10,000. If you and your spouse are on decent terms, you may be able to keep your costs lower by filing for an uncontested divorce. This type of divorce lets you work out the terms together without spending countless hours in court. But it’s possible to take your savings a step further. Here are a few simple ways to save even more with your uncontested divorce in Virginia.
Understand What You Want and What You Need
One of the biggest benefits of pursuing an uncontested divorce is that you’re able to determine the conditions and terms of your divorce without relying on a judge. But the longer you and your spouse have to deliberate and negotiate with help from your attorneys, the more expensive the process can become.
Before you meet, think about what you need from the divorce and what you want. Prioritize your needs and express those clearly when you meet. If you and your spouse are on great terms, you may be able to save more by negotiating the terms of your divorce before meeting with your attorneys for the first time. This can shorten the duration of your divorce so you can move on with your life faster.
Gather the Necessary Documents Before Meeting With Your Attorney
Even uncontested divorces will need documentation to ensure that the settlement is fair and aligned with your needs. Do what you can to compile the necessary documents before your first meeting with your Virginia uncontested divorce attorney. Some of the documents you’ll want to gather include:
- Bank statements
- Investment account statements
- Tax returns
- Your birth certificate
- Documents outlining your marital and individual debts
The more information you can gather before your meeting the better. But if you don’t have everything by your first meeting, don’t worry. Your attorney will help you figure out what other documents you need before you can move forward.
Cooperate With Your Spouse as Best You Can
Uncontested divorces often involve communicating and negotiating with your spouse. This means you’ll need to cooperate from day one if you want to keep things civil and avoid the hassle of filing for a traditional divorce. If you’re worried about being able to cooperate or remain civil during conversations, that’s okay. Just be sure to have your attorney present during any meetings or conversations if you can. They’ll help you keep things on track and may be able to diffuse any arguments before they can derail your progress. Ultimately, this will help you keep costs lower by streamlining your divorce and reducing the risk of negotiations taking longer than they should.
Turn to Mediation if Things Become Tough
While you can transition from an uncontested divorce to a traditional divorce if needed, doing so takes time and can make the rest of your divorce much more expensive. If you and your spouse are having trouble coming to an agreement or reaching terms, consider working with a mediator before transitioning to a traditional divorce can often help you regain understanding and keep your costs down.
Work With a Virginia Uncontested Divorce Attorney
It’s always a good idea to work with an experienced Virginia uncontested divorce attorney when pursuing this divorce option. Why? Because traditional divorce requires many additional steps that uncontested divorce doesn’t. Choosing an attorney who isn’t familiar with uncontested divorces can make the process take longer than it should.
Let AC Rieman Law Help
Pursuing an uncontested divorce in Virginia can help you keep your costs down in the long run. But the key to a successful and affordable uncontested divorce lies in working with an experienced attorney who understands the process. AC Rieman is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.