Can you afford to get divorced?
Unfortunately, this is a serious question. While in some rare cases a mutual loathing will cause a constructive sense of a mutual endeavour in terms of separation, this is quite rare. Most frequently, you will battle till the dime is spent. I remember reading a study of California where most couples had expended all their assets near the end of a divorce and then spent considerable amounts going into debt to finance the question of who was responsible for the debt.
Most divorces fortunately are virtually uncontested, though I never seem to get them. When they aren’t and the participants are not wealthy then they might not be able to afford a divorce. Children contribute to this mightily, but not always. Frequently, one spouse really doesn’t want to get a divorce.
A controlling spouse may when confronted with what they perceive as rejection file and then drag out the process as long as possible.
So ask yourself if you can afford a serious battle. If you run out of cash when the other side has a lawyer you will be sunk. A Memphis Lawyer will draft a very unfavorable agreement for you to sign.
I’d say figure on a minimum of ten thousand for a simple divorce with few assets where the other side is trying to fight over the teapot. The other rule of thumb is plan on spending five thousand more then the other side will be willing to spend, but if you both have five thousand to your name and make $35,000 a year then a divorce might not be in your future no matter how much you loath your spouse.
This may seem silly but I’ve run into people who’ve been separated years and just not bothered to get divorced with no insurance or other practical reason to put it off. I've also met people who haven't seen their kids in years because they don't have the money to battle. You may say you'll make any sacrifice, but money is life. So are kids. The worst thing is to stop in the middle so ask yourself these questions and what you really want before your start your Memphis divorce battle. The court costs of $376.50 the Memphis Courts charge for court costs with children can make a divorce another in a list of priorities like food and medicine or rent.
The above is why any lawyer should encourage their clients to be generous. A Memphis legal battle benefits Memphis lawyers, it’s a risk for anyone else, but also not finishing up a divorce right can lead to expensive post divorce litigation if you have children.
David M. Sandy, J.D.
P.O. Box 3349
Memphis, TN, 38173
1-901-255-2740