People often view their divorce in a negative light, and that reflex makes a lot of sense. Divorce is, after all, an ending, and the process can be painful at times. But, divorces also have many positive aspects for which you can be thankful.

A divorce can be a freeing experience, it can decrease your stress level, and it can help you get a fresh financial start. While it is impossible to control the varying emotions that you may experience during the divorce process, it may be helpful to at least consider the positive aspects. Mentally reviewing some of the possible benefits of divorce can be helpful, especially during more stressful and contentious separations.

More Freedom

One question that weighs heavily on most people’s minds during the divorce process is, “how much is this going to cost me?” Unfortunately, that question does not have an easy answer. Divorces can be unpredictable, and their cost depends upon a variety of elements. But, just because a bottom-line figure can be difficult to reach, does not mean that you need to stay completely in the dark on costs. There are many common factors that affect divorce costs, and keeping them in mind can help you stay in control of your legal bills.

 Legal Fees

Legal fees often form the core of a divorce’s cost, but they can vary quite widely from lawyer to lawyer. The first issue to understand is the structure of attorney’s fees. Often attorneys break their fees down into two sections, the retainer and the hourly fee. The retainer is an up-front fee that some attorneys charge. They can vary widely depending on the attorney’s discretion and area, and range from around $2,000 to $10,000 or higher. Additionally, some attorneys make their retainers refundable under certain circumstances, while others choose not to.

When getting divorced, people often have a difficult time making it public. Deciding whom to tell, what to tell them, and how to go about it can be a complicated process. Everyone in this situation has individual relationships and issues with which to deal, but there are some strategies and tactics that can apply to a wide variety of scenario.

Telling Friends and Family

One of the first things to do when telling friends and family about your divorce is to figure out how close you are to them and how much they need to know. What you should tell a sibling or close friend about your divorce is probably quite different from what you should tell your boss. Once you know what you want to say, sit them down and tell them directly. A long lead-in to a conversation only serves to make people nervous.

Divorce can be a complex process, and, now that it is becoming increasingly commonplace, rumors and misinformation can confuse people as they consider filing. Of course, every individual’s situation is unique, and many specific questions should be cleared up in consultation with a lawyer. But, some more general questions, such as “what gets divided in the divorce process?”, or “what are the differences between fault and no-fault divorce?”, have common answers.

What Gets Decided in the Divorce Process?

While each divorce can present a variety of issues, some decisions the court will eventually make probably include child custody, visitation rights, child support, spousal support (alimony), and property division. However, the court may not need to decide all of these issues, especially if the spouses can come to agreements out of court beforehand.

Individuals thinking about filing for divorce may find the whole process intimidating. Fortunately, no one has to go through it on their own. A Wheaton divorce attorney can guide you through the complicated divorce process. This makes choosing the right divorce attorney for you an important decision, as the correct choice can make all the difference between a relatively painless process and a drawn-out battle.

If you invest time in the beginning, it can come back with interest in the future in the form of an easier separation. Make sure you do your research, conduct interviews with potential attorneys, and watch out for warning signs.

 Do Your Research