How much does a divorce usually cost? SAHM one son and one on the way . I have zero money. Where do i start ?
Get a job and save, save, save. How do you pay for groceries? Can you save a little of that? I was told to have $10,000 on hand. My first cost me far less, but was uncontested. My 2nd divorce cost me $8,000. I went with the cheaper (excellent ) lawyer but if I needed the “pit bull” I could hire the more expensive lawyer to fight for me. Thankfully I didn’t need him.
You may be able to find lawyers in your area for less (I’m in a DC suburb), or find someone through Legal Aid. In any case, an initial consult may be free. You can try to do it without a lawyer but I don’t recommend it. There is always mediation which is cheaper but make sure the results will be accepted by the courts. Ours wasn’t and we had to start over with a lawyer.
You may get some alimony to get you started, but generally it only lasts a while so you can get a job. Not sure what talents you have but many entry level jobs don’t pay enough to cover rent or child care, much less both. Do you have family you can live with? Do you rent or own? If you own, are you on the deed? Do you have enough equity in the home to give you any money after the bank gets the bulk of the sale money to pay off the mortgage if you sell?
It might be cheaper to go to marriage counseling to see if you can reconcile. If he gets 50-50 custody you may not get as much in child support. I’m sorry for all the bad news.
I was able to take classes on financial, emotional and legal considerations of divorce at my area women’s center for a modest fee each. If you have any in your area they can be really helpful.
Let this be a lesson to you to ALWAYS have your own money. Get all the education and certifications you can and know what you need to have for an exit plan. Learn to depend on yourself. Good luck! Careful planning always pays off.
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Where I am, I’ve heard you can file yourself without a lawyer of yall agree on everything for a few hundred dollars. Now, I called 2 different lawyers and 1 quoted me $800 for uncontested and another quoted me $2500 for uncontested. So it just depends. If yall go to court because you can’t agree, it gets really expensive really fast. I went with the $2500 lawyer. It took me awhile because I had to save the money. But it was worth it. Life’s too short to be unhappy. I suggest getting a job and saving. Even if it’s just part time. Or asking family for help of you have any. Either way, it’s not easy but if it’s what you truly want and it’ll make you happier…you can do it. Best of luck
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If you can agree on splitting assets and custody arrangements, you can divorce for under $1k. Both of you go to the same attorney and have them draw up the papers. Both of you sign and the attorney will file it. Rather simple if it’s amicable
Usually to file it’s 500 and there a poverty advade u can file which will help with the cost of it
Google it. How would people know what your situation is