Divorce Financing Should Be The Last Resort

By Susan Ward


Being divorced is no longer a social outrage. In fact, statistics show that marriages are dissolved at an ever increasing rate. Meeting somebody that has been married and divorced several time is also no longer strange phenomenon. However, even though divorces have become so common, they still cause hurt, bitterness and anger. There are many issues that needs consideration before divorces are granted and the entire process can become very traumatic and expensive. In some cases divorcing couples even need to apply for divorce financing.

In the majority of cases both partners will end up much poorer after divorcing. In many cases they have to sell their assets such as their homes and even cars in unfavorable market conditions. Liquidating pension funds, savings and investments can also require high administrative fees and penalties. Then there is the cost of the lawyers, which can be exorbitant. The cost rises even higher in contested cases.

If divorcing couples are reasonable, fair and willing to negotiate in good faith, they can do much to lower the cost of the process. If they can, for example, reach agreement on the division of their assets, custody matters and maintenance issues then they do not need lawyers to negotiate with other lawyers on these matters. Every minute that a lawyer spend on a case is charged. In an uncontested case only one lawyer is necessary.

The expenses truly heap up in contested cases. Each partner will have to hire a separate lawyer and the lawyers negotiate on behalf of their clients. This can be a drawn out process and the clients will pay for every minute spent on their cases. The cost will escalate dramatically when the case goes to court. Contested divorces also means that the entire matter is in the public domain.

Couples that find that they do not have the money necessary to finance their divorces may have to resort to applying for loans specially meant for this purpose. There are numerous financiers that will finance divorces, but they charge hefty service fees and their terms and conditions can be very strict. In fact, such financing can easily leave both partners financially crippled.

If money is needed to pay for a separation it may be better to rather sells some assets to negotiate a loan from a pension fund or against a fixed deposit. Shares can be sold quickly. Many couples owe luxury items that will not be needed to maintain a reasonable standard of living. These remedies will almost always be much cheaper than opting for a loan.

Many modern couples actually plan for the cost of future legal problems. To this end they purchase special insurance policies that are designed to pay for legal cost, including the cost of divorces. Other couples try to lessen the financial impact of divorcing by entering into prenuptial agreements that already stipulate the terms of the separation.

Divorces can be financially crippling, but this is not always necessary. All it takes is for both partners to be reasonable and to do everything they can to separate amicably. Unfortunately, not all couples are reasonable and they will have no choice but to pay for the very high price of a contested divorce.




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