Divorces can be very expensive. It could take a few thousand dollars just to pay the basic attorney fees. Good attorneys are usually $250-$500 per hour. One may be willing to invest this much when children, assets, and finances are involved. However, spending this much does not make sense when you and your spouse are in agreement.
Your divorce does not have to be pricey. You do not have to stay in an unhappy marriage because you have not yet saved enough for the legal fees. There are various affordable options for couples wanting an uncontested divorce. To learn more about your options and rights, consult a Birmingham divorce lawyer today.
Affordable Divorce Options in Alabama
1. Mediation.
Mediation is a dispute resolution technique, used not in divorce but for business purposes as well. In a mediation, you and your spouse meet with a neutral third party. This could be a professional, an attorney, or a friend. The spouses can pick this person together and usually split the charges. You may meet in your house or an office setting.
The mediator helps you reach an agreement on issues that you and your spouse cannot find a solution to. These matters usually include child custody, asset/debt division, child support, etc. Mediators do not act as judges and make the final decision. Rather, they facilitate the process and make suggestions. The power to decide rests with the spouses.
2. Uncontested divorce.
An uncontested divorce is the easiest way to get divorced. But you never know whether the other party will respond or not. Thus, an uncontested divorce happens when one spouse starts the divorce, and the other does not respond.
When the other spouse does not respond, the first spouse gets whatever they want in the divorce. The case proceeds to court, where the judge decides if the spouse is entitled to what they have requested. The discussions and decisions do not consider the second spouse due to their non-participation.
Another way an uncontested divorce can unfold is when the spouses are in agreement. They agree on all issues, such as the division of marital property, children, alimony, etc. Therefore, they do not “contest” each other.
3. Online cheap divorce services.
You may look at online divorce websites and think they are fake and unreliable. These services have been around for decades and are used by millions. Sure, they have their strengths and weaknesses. But they are much less chaotic, expensive, and stressful than court divorces.
Read More: Who is Phyllis Fierro?
