Cheap Divorce Options

There are many ways to get a cheap divorce. How successful and easy they are all depends on how much time, money, and effort you are willing to put into each method. Cheap divorces are usually uncontested because what makes a divorce expensive is the process of litigation. With an uncontested divorce, there is no litigation since you and your spouse work things out on your own... without the lawyers and legal battles.

Option 1 (Cheapest): Do your own divorce (completely on your own).

• Get the divorce forms from your local law library or online. Make sure the forms are state specific and up to date. If you have to buy them, expect to spend about $100 on a good set of divorce forms with instructions. Also, keep in mind that it will take you several days to fill them out correctly (unless you have prior paralegal experience).
• File the forms at the courthouse. The filing fee varies from state to state but should be in the $70 to $140 range. In some states you can have the filing fees waived, but only if you are on a low income (welfare) program. To apply, you have to file an additional form called a Fee Waiver.
• Have a friend serve your spouse or serve your spouse using certified mail ($20.or less).
• Attend the hearing and complete the divorce.

Expect to spend very little or no money with this option, but a lot of time and effort.

Option 2 (Cheap): Do your own divorce, but with the help of a non-lawyer service (this is us)

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• Similar to Option 1 with the exception of:
  • You don't have to worry about the forms at all. A paralegal will assemble and complete them for you. You will also be provided with more specific instructions than those you get with a kit from the law library or online.
  • You also don't have to worry about how to serve your spouse for more complex cases such as those where the spouse is missing or in the military.
  • You don't have to research and answer your own questions. You get support and access to experienced paralegals instead.

Expect to spend about $250-$300 total with this option and very little time or effort.

Option 3 (Reasonable) : Hire a cheap lawyer or mediator if you have to (for legal advice).

Sometimes, even with uncontested cases, spouses want a just a bit of legal advice or help in getting the final few [legal] issues resolved between each other before entering the court room.

• With this option you get the benefit of legal advice and the convenience of Option 2.
• If you hire the lawyer, he/she will attend court with you. Not that it makes much difference in an uncontested case anyway, but you do get the convenience of not having to read the final statements yourself or talk at all.
• Expect to spend about $2000, very little effort, and some time (in meetings)

If you'd like to try option 2 and file for an uncontested divorce with our help, click here.