Divorce causes more than just emotional strain — there are also financial complications that can be difficult to address and overcome. If you’re not careful, dissolving your marriage could cause some long-term financial challenges that can affect the future of you and your kids.
Below are a few tips to help you minimize your divorce costs to avoid these potential pitfalls:
- Know your priorities: During the divorce process, make sure you have prioritized what the most important things are to you, and what will matter most once the process is complete. Once you have determined your priorities, you and your divorce attorney can focus on spending the time needed to fight for those things.
- Seek help: Do not try to go through the divorce by yourself unless you are dealing with a very simple divorce. An attorney will provide you with perspectives you likely would not have considered — and point out things you might not have noticed. A lawyer can also help you steer clear of avoidable mistakes that could damage your finances coming out of the divorce.
- Always stay open: Attempting to destroy evidence, for example, could result in you being penalized by the court in the form of less favorable alimony, property division or child support arrangements. Never attempt to cheat — give all the information requested of you promptly and fully.
- Communicate well: Clear and concise communication is vital during a divorce. Keep a list of issues to discuss with your legal team so you can knock them all out at once, rather than having to pick up the phone every time a new challenge comes up.
For further tips on keeping costs down during a divorce, consult an experienced Minnesota divorce lawyer with Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A.