There’s no way to sugarcoat it: Divorce is costly. The median cost of a divorce, in 2024, is $7,000 – which is an eye-popping figure for many people.
So, what can you do to minimize your divorce expenses? If you want the total cost of your divorce to come down on the low side of things, here are some tips that may help:
1. Try to start the process with a cooperative spirit
Whether you call it “conscious uncoupling” or just being kind, the way that you initiate the whole divorce conversation with your spouse can have a dramatic effect on the way the divorce proceeds – positive or negative.
Choose your words carefully. This is the time to focus on the idea that you’re both unhappy and that divorce is a chance for you both to get the things that you need out of life and a relationship – not on your spouse’s failings or faults.
2. Be willing to negotiate
Accept from the outset that you will need to actively negotiate for what you want in your divorce settlement, and be willing to compromise. If you and your spouse can manage to negotiate fair agreements regarding the division of your property and debts, issues related to child custody and financial support concerns, you can get an uncontested divorce.
If your divorce becomes contested and has to be litigated, you can expect the costs to spiral upward – to the tune of at least $20,000.
Ultimately, a calm, measured approach to your divorce can let you spread out the expenses, and that will make them easier to bear.