Whether a divorce is contested or uncontested, the most common question asked by clients is how expensive the process is going to be.
This is especially asked when high-value assets are to be divided or when children are involved in the divorce. In addition to ensuring that assets and children receive the best care throughout the process, parties want to understand the costs of these aspects of divorce and how much they will add to the overall cost of the process. It is an understandable question, and at Drama-Free Divorce, we are not shy to discuss the cost of an uncontested divorce, especially with these details involved.
The price is a factor determined by many decisions and needs within an uncontested divorce. So, to better understand the cost, you first need to understand the why.
An Uncontested Divorce With or Without an Attorney
Many believe that since they and their spouse want to have an uncontested divorce, they could do it by themselves without the legal guidance and experience of a divorce attorney. While yes, you and your spouse may be on the same page about things like financials, assets, and the future, there is a lot more to the divorce process, even an uncontested one, that could lead to possible legal hiccups down the road if they are forgotten or not established during the process. That is where an attorney comes in to help.
An uncontested divorce could seem simple on the surface, but like any divorce, there are legal steps needed to be taken to ensure both parties are properly represented and heard. While you could find divorce templates online, each divorce is different, and especially with kids involved, you don’t want to miss any of the important small print that ensures the best legal outcome. Partnering with an attorney, especially when you and your spouse are on the same page about what’s next, can ensure that nothing is missed and you two can move forward in your next chapters without any legal hassle.
Time Leads to Expense. How to Keep the Process Moving With Children Involved
The longer a divorce takes, the more expensive it will be. Fortunately, there are ways to ensure the divorce process keeps moving, saving you, your spouse, and your children time and energy, and especially, money.
The first thing you can do is ensure that you have gathered all the necessary documentation that might be needed for the divorce. If you already have this information collected and easy to access, you are saving yourself and your attorney time from having to find it down the road. This could be anything from asset valuations to prenuptial agreements. Whatever you may need in order to answer possible legal questions, get that collected and ready.
Then, you can get your and your spouse’s agreements straightened out and detailed. If you two are on the same page about next steps, get those agreements written down and clearly stated so that the topics might be easier to tackle down the road. Anything that you can gather beforehand can be a great way to keep the divorce process moving.
Factors That Could Increase The Price of an Uncontested Divorce With Children Involved
Even during an uncontested divorce, children have the possibility to raise the price of the divorce process. Details regarding the child’s best interests, such as a parenting plan or custody, could increase the price.
The time it takes to develop a well-structured, legal, and agreed-upon parenting plan is an expense. Developing a parenting plan has the potential to be a long, strenuous process. Fortunately, for an uncontested divorce, both parties are likely to be on the same page about what is needed for the child’s best interest, and this process might not take nearly as much time.
Additionally, calculating child support may take time if parties can not agree or do not provide the proper financial statements. The longer it takes to calculate the price of child support, the higher the price of the divorce could be. However, similar to a parenting plan, if both parents are on the same page, this process can go by relatively quickly, allowing for the expense to decrease.
Important Ages to Consider When Children Are Involved in a Divorce
Depending on the age and circumstances of the child could change the conversation about divorce.
Of course, a child up to the age of 18 will fall under the requirements of needing child support and a parenting plan. However, for the most part, once a child turns 18, child support will be suspended. In the scenario that the child turns 18 while still in high school, child support may continue until the date of graduation.
There is also the option of emancipation. If the child marries, joins the military, or becomes self-supporting before age 18, child support obligations may be terminated.
The Value of Being on the Same Page Throughout a Divorce
The more expensive divorce often happens when spouses are not on the same page about the next steps. When neither is willing to agree, they are arguing and calling for more negotiations; the price of divorce is only going to increase. There is a true value in being on the same page throughout a divorce.
When you and your spouse understand each other, want to move on in your lives, and have plans set out for assets and children without any hassle, you are going to find that divorce is a lot less expensive than expected. An uncontested divorce, even when including an attorney, can cost less than a contested divorce.
Drama-Free Divorce Makes Pricing Simple, Even With Children Involved
With uncontested divorce already creating a simple way to get divorced, Drama-Free Divorce wanted to ensure that pricing did not add any complications.
At Drama-Free Divorce, we offer very simple, easy-to-understand divorce plans that you can utilize if you and your spouse are on the same page about the next steps. Whether you have property or kids, or property and kids, we have a plan that could fit your needs.
Our goal is to make it simple for individuals in Kansas and Missouri to navigate divorce with none of the emotional turmoil.
The cost of divorce is a constant question we hear, but if you and your spouse are on the same page, our attorneys at Drama-Free Divorce can make it simple. Contact our team today!