Individuals preparing for divorce often worry about a number of different concerns. They want to ensure that the outcomes of custody and property division proceedings are fair. They may also want to limit how much they spend on what is a notoriously expensive process.
One of the key contributing factors to the overall cost of a divorce is the amount of conflict between the spouses. Those who prioritize working cooperatively and minimizing their disputes may ultimately keep their divorce costs lower than those who employ scorched-earth tactics during divorce.
Spousal conflict leads to litigation
The connection between increased conflict and increased divorce expenses is well known. Couples who find themselves fighting over custody terms or property division may need to undergo months of negotiations before they reach a settlement.
Some couples decide to attend mediation. Even if it may be costly to negotiate and mediate disputes, doing so can be more cost-effective than litigating. When looking at the average cost of a divorce, the amount of time spent in front of a judge is the most significant factor contributing to the overall cost.
The more issues that couples have to present to a family law judge, the more they pay for their divorce proceedings. In some cases, litigation is necessary because of financial misconduct or domestic abuse. For most couples, however, cooperation and an uncontested divorce are possible with the right approach.
Finding ways to work cooperatively can help couples reduce their overall divorce expenses. Spouses who understand what makes divorce so costly can make better choices about how they approach the divorce process.