When you hear the word divorce, you don’t usually think of it as a cheap process. Litigation fees, attorney’s fees, court fees—the costs stack up. But did you know there are some cheaper options for divorce in Virginia?
Types of divorces in Virginia
Virginia offers several different options for divorce. Litigation, or the traditional method of going to court and resolving your differences with a judge’s help, is by far the most expensive way to get divorced. This type of divorce may be necessary if you and your spouse don’t get along or are facing a complicated divorce.
On the other hand, mediation and collaborative divorce allow you and your spouse to work together and find solutions that benefit everyone. While these types of divorces are generally less expensive than litigation, you’ll still face fees from the court, attorneys or professionals, and others.
The cheapest option for divorce in Virginia is a do-it-yourself divorce or DIY divorce. But only if done correctly. This method is ideal for families with no children and who do not have a high level of conflict in their divorce. If you do your due diligence and ensure that you file all the right documentation, a DIY divorce could save you thousands overall.
Why is DIY divorce the cheapest option in Virginia?
A proper DIY divorce is the cheapest divorce in Virginia because you do most of the heavy lifting yourself. You and your spouse will fill out all the appropriate paperwork and may only need a lawyer to ensure your documents are correct and file your case with the court. This drastically cuts down your costs.
In a DIY divorce, you and your spouse will lay out things like:
- How the family home will be allocated
- How assets and debts will be split
- Communal and marital property
- The distribution of investments or jointly-owned businesses
- Visitation and parenting schedules, if applicable
Who benefits from a DIY divorce?
Generally, the more complicated your divorce is, the more expensive it will be. More assets, children, and conflict can all add to your costs. If you and your spouse can’t get along and disagree around every corner, your fees will continue to go up as the amount of time you spend bickering will delay the divorce process.
The most common people who benefit from DIY divorce in Virginia are those without children or a lot of assets or those who are facing a low-conflict, uncontested divorce. If both spouses in these cases are willing to put in the time and effort to research the DIY divorce process and work together to find solutions, DIY divorce will be the cheapest divorce option for them.
Get started on the cheapest divorce option in Virginia
Your divorce doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive if you and your spouse agree on all the issues. An uncontested divorce is a low-cost and mostly stress-free process that may take just a few months to be completed. Visit Dipietro Law Group today for your free consultation.