- Once you are sure the marriage is over, do not delay in dealing with the difficult issues.
If you leave sorting out your divorce until years after your separation, it is always more difficult to unpick the historical finances and other issues and therefore it is more expensive.
- Try mediation or Collaboration
Talking with your spouse directly rather than through solicitors is going to be more time-efficient and therefore cheaper than either dealing with matters through solicitors correspondence or through the court.
- Try to agree to share costs
If you are able, agree with your spouse to share the costs of the process from the beginning. This will limit either of you from ‘over-spending’ as ultimately, you will both be paying.
- Be prepared to compromise
Points of principle are wonderful, but it is worth reconsidering whether winning a point of principle is going to be worth the money. Usually, they are not!
- Be selective
Carefully consider which issues you require legal advice upon. It may be that some issues can be resolved between you both, whilst others require specialist help. Spend your money on the most difficult areas.
- Prepare to filter!
During divorce, lots of friends and family will be on hand to offer their advice. Although well-meaning, be prepared to filter their advice quite thoroughly. Discuss with your solicitor before deciding whether to take their advice on board. No two divorces are the same, so “what Mr and Mrs Smith ended up agreeing” will undoubtedly not be suitable for you. Friends and family are likely to be emotionally involved, which may effect their advice.
- Book a course of Counselling
It may sound counter-intuitive, but making sure you have some emotional support through what is a very stressful time is very important and will ensure, in the long-term, that the decisions you take through the process are sound. It may save you money, but more importantly it may help you to manage your emotional health.
Katy Zikking is a specialist family solicitor at Harbour Family Law Solicitors. You can contact her by e-mail at: mail@harbourfamilylaw.co.uk or by calling 0117 375 1780. Katy is a trained Collaborative solicitor. www.harbourfamilylaw.co.uk/methods
Katy has over 19 years experience of helping clients divorce – protecting their financial and emotional best interests.
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