It’s no secret that some divorces get expensive. A study published in 2020 found that the average legal costs for a Texas divorce were between $11,000 and $13,000. The average may be even higher today.
Divorce costs vary greatly, depending on the specific case. If you and your spouse agree on all the issues and can settle things in an uncontested divorce, you’ll pay much less. On the other hand, going to trial drives costs up. After decades handling divorces in Fort Worth and throughout Texas, we want to offer some helpful tips to help you avoid running up excessive costs while divorcing.
Strive for Settlement When Possible
The average cost mentioned above goes up quickly when disputes have to be resolved in court. The same 2020 research found that the average cost was $17,000 for a contested divorce with one issue at trial and up to $23,000 for a trial on two or more issues.
Staying out of court is the biggest key to controlling costs. In the best-case scenario, you and your spouse can negotiate or mediate all of the terms of your divorce, before your final court date. With or without help from your lawyers, it may be possible for you to reach agreements on all issues, including child custody, alimony, and property division. Crucially, by working to resolve your issues together outside of court, you retain more control than you would by turning decisions over to a judge.
Don’t Try to Punish Your Ex or Get Revenge
Your spouse may have behaved badly while you were married, but don’t use your divorce as a way to “get back” at them for cheating, lying, or anything else. You’ll find that you can quickly burn through tens of thousands of dollars (or even more) if you approach your divorce as a chance to settle scores.
Instead, focus on achieving the best possible outcome for you and your kids. Take advantage of your lawyer’s experience and the resources of the legal system to make a clean break from your marriage and get a fresh start at life. If you put your focus on punishing your ex, everyone will suffer (even you). Instead, keep your eye on the one thing worth fighting for: the best possible future for you and your kids.
Lean on Your Attorney’s Experience
Texas family law is complex, and you can’t be expected to know how everything works. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you don’t understand something. And don’t ever be intimidated by your own lawyer. We’re here to help, not to force you into anything. Our job is to give you the information you need about the relevant legal options so you can make informed decisions during the divorce process.
Contact a Fort Worth Divorce Attorney for a Free Consultation
At the Fort Worth office of Schneider Law Firm, we pride ourselves on providing cost-conscious representation with no compromises on the quality of our work. We would be happy to meet with you, listen to your story, and explain how we can help. You can schedule a free initial consultation with our Fort Worth team by calling 817-755-1852, or contact us online anytime.
