The more contentious a divorce is, the more likely it is to become drawn out and expensive. It stands to reason, then, that you can save quite a bit of money by simply being cordial with your spouse.
Of course, this is much more easily said than done in some circumstances. But consider the amount of money you could spend on legal fees if your case extends months, and results in lengthy courtroom battles. It’s not unusual for extended court battles to result in each spouse having to spend more than $25,000.
Work together for your own benefit
It’s in everyone’s best interest, then, to work together to the fullest extent possible to avoid lengthy court fights over divorce-related issues. A great process is to start by negotiating with issues that you know aren’t going to be as contentious. This will help you build up some momentum by much more easily coming to agreements on issues that are still important and related to your divorce, but aren’t necessarily the big “sticking point” issues that you can tackle later on.
By handling these simpler issues first, it gets you used to communicating and collaborating with your spouse during the divorce process, so that later, more difficult issues might at least become less contentious.
It’s also important to honestly look at your financial situation and what you could stand to lose if your case goes on for too long. Unfortunately, nobody comes away from a divorce with absolutely everything they wanted. You’re going to need to be willing to compromise on some issues if you’re going to avoid a massively expensive split.
Therefore, be fully honest throughout the process, avoid escalating any tension that occurs, and really put an honest effort into the mediation process.
For more information about what steps you can take to save yourself some money in your divorce, contact an experienced Minnesota divorce lawyer at Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.
