TO REDUCE THE COSTS OF A DIVORCE

According to Canadian Lawyer’s 2013 legal fees survey, the cost of an uncontested divorce ranges from $801 to $1,608 A contested divorce, meanwhile, can cost between $5,743 and $33,881 And if your case goes to court, you could face even higher legal fees This financial toll doesn’t include the possibility of child support and spousal support

1 Keep it amicable.

“It does not mean you have to like each other,” says Darren Gringas, president of the Common Sense Divorce, a private company that guides Canadians through marital breakups “Emotions in a divorce will cost you big money The reality is, marriage counselling is done now You’re now in the midst of a very important business transaction ”

2 Understand your financial present and future.

Women tend to have more attachment to the home, leaving liquid assets to their former partners But this could leave you house rich, cash poor and without a plan for the future Create a budget Sit down with a financial advisor

3 Check your interactions with your lawyer.

“People have their lawyers on speed dial Your lawyer will gladly talk to you, but it’s $400 an hour Every time your lawyer writes an email, you need to understand, it’s $65,” Mr Gringas says Determine what you need to talk to your lawyer about Write your questions down and ask them all at once If you need to rant, visit a support group or counsellor

4 Consider mediation.

“No 1 rule: You want to save money Keep it out of court,” Mr Gringas says A mediator will help both parties come to an agreement Find a collaborative lawyer In the collaborative process, you, your partner and your lawyers must sign an agreement requiring the lawyers to drop the case if a deal isn’t reached “The four of you negotiate in one room to actually make the process work,” he says The caveat is if you don’t work it out, you have to start over with new lawyers, adding to the cost

5 If you can’t afford a lawyer, you could get legal aid.

Many provinces and territories offer lawyer referral services