
Divorce can be expensive. It may take a long time to finalize a divorce and resolve all issues between you and your spouse. You may have to live separately during the divorce, even if you’re working on ending things amicably. During this process, you may need to pay for rent, storage, utilities, food, child care and other expenses. It’s important to understand that it’s possible to get a divorce on a short timeline. In most states, you can file for divorce and get a divorce decree within a few weeks.
In this case, you may be able to avoid some of the financial issues that can arise from a long divorce process. However, if you’re not eligible for an expedited divorce, it’s important to have a plan. This article is not legal advice and is meant to only be a general guide. Please contact an attorney for specific legal advice.
How getting divorced can impact your finances.
If you’re considering getting a divorce, you might be worried about how it could impact your budget and finances. After all, divorce can be a costly business, particularly if it’s an acrimonious split and you need to pay for legal representation.
However, it’s not all bad news. Getting divorced could actually save you some cash, especially if the marriage was short-lived. Here are some of the impacts divorce can have on your finances.
It’s an expensive business
Getting divorced is an expensive business. You will be required to pay for legal assistance, which will set you back a minimum of hundreds of dollars per hour in legal expenses and can cost thousands if you need to go to court.
If you’re looking for a quick divorce, where you agree the terms of the divorce without going to court, you could be looking at lower costs. However, if you have to go to court, you could spend a lot more.
For example, in 2013 a woman who was arguing for a larger share of her ex-husband’s $3.5 million property was ordered to pay $45,000 in legal fees.
When you add on the cost of buying property if you need somewhere to live after the divorce, the cost of furnishings and other household goods, and the cost of a new car, the costs really start to mount up.
You won’t have to worry about your ex’s bills
When you’re married, you’ll probably have to contribute to your spouse’s bills. If they’re a heavy drinker, for example, you might have to pay for their drinks, or if they have expensive hobbies, such as horse riding or car racing, you could be paying for lessons, memberships or equipment.
If you’re divorced, you won’t have to worry about your spouse’s bills. That means you can essentially give yourself a pay rise, and use the money you save to boost your savings, or spend it on yourself and your own luxuries.
You’ll have more time to plan for the future
If you’re in a marriage, you’ll probably have to make plenty of compromises. You might have to put your career on hold so that you can raise a family, or give up your dreams of travelling round the world to save money.
But if you’re divorced, you’ll have more time to plan for your own future and the things you want to do in life. For example, you might decide to go back to college to get a degree, or use the money you’re getting from your ex-husband to fund your travels. Decisions become much easier when you have one less person to consider.
4 tips for financial survival during divorce
If you don’t have enough money to survive, here are four tips for financial survival during the divorce process:
[1] Keep a budget
Maintaining a budget can be challenging while you’re in the middle of a divorce. You may have multiple legal bills and a variety of expenses to pay. Consider creating a spreadsheet with your expenses and income. It can help you stay on track with your divorce budget. It’s also a good idea to consider having someone else review your budget. They may be able to offer suggestions for savings or other ways to cut costs.
[2] Plan for your expenses
If you know you’ll need money for legal fees, consider saving money to pay for expenses. You may want to set up a separate and dedicated account for your divorce expenses. This could help you protect your assets and make sure you have the money you need to pay your divorce expenses. If you have significant assets, you may want to work with a financial advisor or accountant to help you manage your assets and plan for the divorce.
[3] Find ways to earn extra money
While you’re going through a divorce, you may need to earn extra cash. Consider selling items you don’t need on eBay or Craigslist. You may also want to consider house sitting. pet sitting, or making money online.
If you need to earn additional money with more consistency, consider working a second job for a few months. This can help you pay for expenses and help you stay on track with your budget.
[4] Consider filing for bankruptcy
If you’re going through a divorce and you’re struggling financially, you may want to consider filing for bankruptcy. Depending on your unique situation, bankruptcy may be a good option for you Of course, it’s important to talk to a bankruptcy specialist about your financial situation before filing for bankruptcy.
Wrap up
Divorce can be expensive. You may need to pay for legal fees, child support, spousal support and other expenses. If you don’t have money, you may want to consider these tips for financial survival during the divorce process. Hopefully, the tips in this article help you quickly get through your divorce process with a bit less stress and without running out of money.