Saving money when getting divorced may seem trivial at first, but the costs can add up. There are also other factors, such as being unemployed or having no assets, that can make this even harder. From sorting the mortgage to listing your assets against debts, here is more information.
Note: This isn’t legal advice.
Hire a Reputable Legal Team
A divorce can be arranged on a DIY basis, but it’s hard to do. Like anything with legal complexities, it is best to hire a reputable solicitor to help you out. Of course, this costs money. But you can work with divorce and family lawyers to decide where you need their help and where you can do things yourself. This will help cut the costs significantly. It also helps to make sure you hire a team with a good reputation, as some will charge you more money for poor service.
Sort the Mortgage ASAP
One of the biggest points of contention when separating from your partner is the home. If you have a mortgage, this needs to be sorted as soon as possible so you don’t fall behind. Falling behind on a mortgage will incur costs and put your home at risk. If you want to keep the home, you will need to change the name on the mortgage. And vice versa. With a joint account, both parties are liable for keeping up with mortgage repayments, regardless of who lives there.
Prioritise Money when Getting Divorced
With a partner gone, your income will potentially be cut in half or reduced significantly. This means you will have to make better money decisions moving forward. Cutting costs on food, luxuries, and services is a good start, and you need to prioritise where funds should be allocated. This will help with your case costs since the average divorce case will cost between £1,000 and £3,000 in the UK. And these costs can rise based on the case and how long it takes to resolve.
List Your Inventory and Debts
There is often some fighting about who owns what or who is entitled to certain things during a divorce. This can be long and drawn out, which costs more in fees. You can shorten this by listing all assets that you own and belong only to you. This also includes debts. Of course, you must be able to prove that non-marital assets actually belong to you. Further, it helps to keep copies of any bank statements, credit card bills and other paperwork that can be used.
Find Support to Stay Focused
A divorce is a very emotional time, and this can cause you to lose focus. When this happens, you are likely to make rash decisions, which could cost money. Or you can freeze and extend the process, which also costs money. Staying focused can be hard. But it will help to find support from family and friends. Trusted loved ones can even help you with sensitive things like managing your money and assets without becoming overly emotional and keeping your goals.
Summary
A reputable legal team is a good first step to saving money when getting divorced. You must also be willing to make drastic lifestyle changes and prioritise funds. Family and friends can also help you stay focused on your goals when going through one of the hardest things you can ever face.
