Whether amicable or contentious, divorce is a costly proposition. In addition to court costs, this process can deliver significant expenses related to housing, child support, spousal maintenance, and more. If you’re already starting to feel the impact on your wallet, consider implementing these tactics to keep costs to a minimum:

Select the Right Process For Your Situation

Your approach to divorce can play a huge role in its ultimate price tag. Court-based divorces tend to be more expensive, but exceptions apply.

If you and your ex are on decent terms, you’ll find it far easier and less costly to resolve your differences through mediation or collaboration. Remember, it’s still possible to undergo both processes while retaining counsel from a trusted attorney. If, however, huge financial stakes are attached — and your disagreements are fraught enough to make effective mediation impossible — litigation could actually prove the better option.

Be Willing to Compromise

Divorce is not a zero-sum game. It’s possible to make small compromises while still mostly getting what you want out of the process. In fact, by making calculated accommodations, you increase the likelihood of emerging with positive outcomes for other, more important matters.

The sooner you arrive at strategic compromises, the less time you’ll spend in court — and the more you’ll save in the long-run. Determine in advance where your priorities lie, and also, where you can make concessions for the sake of moving the process forward. Often, the greatest potential for savings lies in the division of household items, which should not require drawn-out court battles.

At the law firm of Barna, Guzy & Steffen, Ltd., we strive to find the ideal balance between affordable legal service and long-term value. We believe that the right approach to divorce can deliver considerable savings both now and far into the future