How Much Will Divorce Cost Me?
A major reason why men are sometimes hesitant about getting a divorce is the financial implications. While anyone who gets divorced will have to pay for legal representation and court fees, men generally end up paying spousal support and child support. Depending on their financial circumstances, men sometimes need to pay for their spouse’s attorney as well. In many cases, the father moves out of the house while the divorce is underway and finds a different place to stay until everything is settled, and often they keep covering mortgage payments or other home maintenance costs while also paying rent for their new home.
Some of the financial drawbacks of divorce are unavoidable, but a knowledgeable divorce lawyer will be able to advise you on various steps you can take to take care of your finances in a more optimal manner. Following them can make your divorce much more manageable. You should not have to feel stuck in an unhappy marriage for fear of the financial impact divorce could have. A knowledgeable divorce lawyer who has experience representing fathers in such cases can offer you specially tailored legal advice to guide you as you move forward.
Step 1: Understand Your Finances
Before you can even begin thinking about how you envision your division of assets and division of debts and before you can propose a spousal support arrangement, the most important thing for you to do is to make sure you have an accurate understanding of the assets you have. Many people are unaware of what they have in all their checking, savings, debit, pension, and savings accounts and what they can and cannot afford. Take the time to record all your assets so that you have an accurate picture of your finances.
Step 2: If You Have Any Money to Save, Begin Now
As hard as it can be to save money, it is a good idea to begin thinking about where you can cut back and put some extra money aside, even if it is only little by little. There are many feasible ways to save money, like canceling a magazine subscription, canceling or downgrading a gym membership, cooking instead of ordering in, or meeting up with your friend for a drink once a month instead of once a week. This will help you in two ways, First, and foremost, you will be saving money. Second, it will start getting you in the habit of thinking more intentionally about how you spend your money and what expenses are not necessary. Many people find it empowering to take ownership of their spending and work hard to attain financial goals. You will need to sacrifice some of your comforts, but it can be very worthwhile in the long run.
Step 3: Hire an Experienced Divorce Attorney
Some people think that trying to handle their divorce without a lawyer is a great way to save money. Unfortunately, if they lack proper legal understanding, it can end up costing them much more money down the line, as they might end up with a much more asymmetrical settlement than a lawyer could have helped them secure. A local father’s rights divorce lawyer can review your background and your case and see where there is room for flexibility so that the entire financial burden does not fall on you.
Speak with a local Father’s Rights Divorce Lawyer
We understand how stressful it can feel to worry about how a potential divorce might affect you financially, but that stress generally is not a good enough reason to stay in an unhappy marriage. Call a local father’s rights divorce attorney to see how your rights can be protected.
