Why a collaborative divorce may cost less than a traditional one

There is more than one way to end a Pennsylvania marriage. If you have concerns about supporting yourself after divorce, a collaborative divorce may be an option worth considering. Collaborative divorce involves you and your former partner working through your differences without winding up in court, and it has the potential to save you quite a bit of money.

How might a collaborative divorce help you save money you might instead use for a new place to live, your child’s college, your retirement savings or something else?

By cutting legal expenses

Most former couples that decide to collaborate on their divorces rely on their individual attorneys much less than they would in a litigated divorce. This means fewer billable hours. It also means you do not have to factor in court costs and related fees.

By taking a less adversarial approach

A litigated divorce is going to feel like a fight. You may spend far more time fighting or trying to “beat” the other party in a courtroom divorce than you would in a collaborative one.

By giving you a better sense of your finances

A collaborative divorce may also have positive, long-term financial implications. You may have to create a budget and develop a strong understanding of what you need to live on during the collaborative divorce process. This may help you stay on top of your finances and modify your lifestyle as necessary.

While collaborative divorce often offers financial benefits, it may lead to personal ones, too. If you share children, collaborative divorce may help you preserve at least a somewhat cordial relationship between you and your child’s other parent.