A divorce can be a hard time. It can also cost a lot of cash. But you can get a divorce in Michigan for less money. This guide will show you ways to pay less. It is good to know what you can do. You can also watch our film on cheap divorce ways to learn from Akiva Goldman.
What is a “No-Fight” Divorce?
When you both see eye to eye: A top way to have a cheap divorce is if you and the person you are married to agree on things. This is like a “no-fight” divorce. It means you do not argue about who gets what. It also means you do not argue about the kids.
How it saves cash: If you do not fight, you do not need to pay lawyers for lots of time. You also do not need to go to a judge many times. You can tell the judge you agree. Then you can make a quick paper. This paper says what you both picked. The judge can say yes to it fast. This saves lots of cash on fees.
Things you might agree on:
How to share things: How to split cash and items you both have.
Time with kids: Where kids will live and when each parent sees them.
Cash for kids: How much cash one parent gives the other for the kids.
Good things about no fighting:
Less worry: It is much more calm for all folks.
Ends sooner: The divorce can be all done more quickly.
Smaller bills: You pay much less for lawyer help.
A short story: Tom and Sue wanted a divorce. They talked. They agreed on how to split their home and car. They also agreed on a plan for their two kids. Since they agreed, their divorce was cheap. It was also quick.
Can Writing Your Plan Down Save Cash?
Putting it on paper: Yes. If you and the person you are married to write down all you agree on, it can save cash. This paper shows the judge you have sorted things out. Both of you need to sign this paper. This shows you both say yes to it.
Less lawyer time needed: When you have this paper, you might need only one lawyer to help look at it. Or, you might not need any lawyers if it is very plain. This means you mostly pay small court fees. You can find more info about agree on all things for divorce on our site.
What the paper should tell:
Who gets each thing: Say for sure how you will split your items.
Kid plans: Write down the plan for how to care for your kids.
Cash paid for kids: Say how much will be paid for the kids.
Why this paper is a good thing:
Makes it very clear: All folks know what was picked.
Helps the judge out: The judge can say yes to it fast.
Saves you real cash: Less arguing means smaller lawyer bills.
A short story: Maria and Ben wrote down how they would split their cash. They also made a plan for their dog. They both put their names on it. The judge said yes to their plan very fast. They saved cash.
What if We Do Not Agree on Some Things?
Using a helper to agree: Now and then, you and the person you are married to can’t agree on all things. Do not have a big court fight. You can use a helper. This helper is named a mediator. A mediator does not pick sides.
How a helper does their job: The helper talks with both of you. They help you find answers you can both say yes to. It is not free. But it is most times much less costly than going to court to fight. It is a good way to fix problems with no big lawyer bills. Learn more about using a helper to agree if you feel this could be good for you.
When a helper can be used:
Small fights only: You do not agree on a few things, not all things.
You want to save: You want to keep costs low.
You need help to talk: You find it hard to talk to each other well.
What a helper does not do:
Pick who is right: They stay fair to both folks.
Pick for you: You still make the last choice.
Give law advice: They help you talk, not tell you about the law.
A short story: Lisa and Ken could not agree on who kept the family car. They used a helper. The helper helped them talk. They found a fair answer. This was less costly than a long court fight over just the car.
How Can Picking Fights with Care Save Cash?
Think about big things: You can save cash if you only argue about very key stuff. Think hard about what truly counts. This often means things about your kids. Or it can mean big items you own, like a home.
Let small stuff pass: Try not to fight about small things. For example, if one person is 15 minutes late for kid time, it might not be worth a big fight. Fighting over each tiny thing costs a lot in lawyer fees.
Big things to think about:
How kids are doing: Making sure kids are safe and well.
Main home: What to do about the family house.
Large money owed: How to split any big debts you have.
Small things to maybe let pass:
Small time changes: Little changes to when you see the kids.
Old seats and tables: Who gets small things from the house.
Tiny rule breaks: Small breaks of your plan that do not hurt things much.
A short story: David and Sara were in a divorce. Sara was sad David gave back the kids’ toys late. David was mad Sara changed weekend plans one time. They chose these were small things. They thought about the big plan for their kids more. This saved them cash.
Can I Truly Save Cash if We Limit Fights?
Yes, it helps very much: If you only think about the main problems, you will save a lot of cash. The thing is, can your divorce be like that? It rests on both you and the person you are married to.
How you think matters: You might want to keep things cheap and plain. But what if the other person wants to fight about all things? This can make it hard to save cash. To learn more about costs, look at this film on how much a divorce can cost.
Ways to keep costs low:
Talk with no anger: Try to speak in a calm way about what you both want.
Be fair to all: Give ideas that are fair to both of you.
Hear them out: Know what the other person needs.
What can make costs go up:
Always fighting: Arguing over each small thing.
Not telling all: Not being open about cash or items.
Will not bend: Saying no to all other ideas.
A short story: Jenny wanted a plain divorce. Her spouse, Mark, was very mad. He wanted to fight for more than half their things. Jenny tried to be fair. But Mark would not change his mind. This meant Jenny had to pay more for a lawyer to keep her share safe.
What if the Other Person Wants to Pay Lots of Cash?
They can make it cost more: If the person you are married to wants to fight, they can make the divorce cost more. They might say no to easy things. They might ask for more than what is fair for them.
Your hard choice to make: This puts you in a tough place. You want to be fair. You want to keep costs low. But if they want more, you have to pick. Do you give in to keep it cheap? Or do you pay cash to fight for what is fair?
What they might try to do:
Ask for way too much: Want a bigger part of cash or items.
Fight hard over kids: Make it hard to agree on kid plans.
Make it take long: Drag out the divorce to make you pay more.
How you can act back:
Try to talk more: See if you can still find a way to agree.
Get a helper in: A mediator might still be able to give help.
Stand your ground: Pick what you will not give up on.
A short story: Sam said he would split all things 50/50 with his wife. His wife said she wanted 60% of all things. She also wanted more kid cash than was normal. Sam had to pick. Should he give her the extra? Or should he pay a lawyer to fight for a 50/50 split?
When Should I Pick to Fight Back?
Making a firm line: Now and then, giving in does not stop the other person. They might just ask for more things. If this takes place, you might need to make a firm line. This means you pick what you will give, and then no more.
Calling up a lawyer: If you say “this is all I will give,” and they still want more, then it is time to call a lawyer. A lawyer can help keep your rights safe. They can help you fight for what is fair if the other side will not be fair.
Signs you need to stand firm now:
They always ask for more: Each time you say yes, they want a new thing.
They ask for unfair things: They want things that are not right by law.
They try to push you: They try to make you scared so you say yes.
What a lawyer is able to do:
Tell you your rights: Tell you what you should get by law rules.
Speak up for you: Talk to the other side or their lawyer for you.
Go to judge for you: Stand for you if you must go to a judge.
A short story: Anna said yes to give her husband extra cash to keep things calm. Then he asked for their only car too. Anna felt this was too much. She made a firm line. She called a lawyer to help her make a fair plan.
Can I Learn Steps for a “No-Fight” Divorce?
Knowing the way to go: Yes. Knowing the steps for a divorce where both sides agree can help a lot. It makes the road more clear. It often means less worry and lower costs for all folks.
Finding good info: There are places to get help that can show you the way. For a start, you can learn about the steps for a no-fight divorce by looking at helpful films. This can make you feel more set to go.
Key steps most times are:
Talking it out: Speaking and agreeing on all main things.
Getting papers ready: Filling out the court forms right.
Judge looks it over: Giving your plan to a judge to say yes.
Why knowing steps is a help:
Less being scared: You know what will come next for you.
Saves your time: You can get ready better for each step.
Fewer slip-ups: You are less apt to miss a key thing.
A short story: Mark and Lisa wanted a plain divorce. They looked at a film that told the steps. This helped them fill out their papers the right way. They knew what the judge would need. Their divorce went with no big problems.
More info about costs:
Filing fees come first: When you start a divorce, you must pay cash to the court. This is named a filing fee. This is one of the first costs you will have. You pay this even if you agree on all things.
Lawyer costs can change: If you get a lawyer, they most times charge by the hour. If your divorce has a lot of fights, you will need more lawyer hours. This is why a “no-fight” divorce is less costly. You use fewer lawyer hours. You can learn about divorce costs more on our web page.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the most cheap way to get a divorce?
If you and the one you are wed to agree on all big things, that is the most cheap. This means no fights over items, cash, or kids.
2. Do I always need a lawyer for my divorce?
If your divorce is very plain and you both agree on all things, you might not need a lawyer. But it is often smart to have a lawyer look at your papers.
3. What are these filing fees?
Filing fees are cash you pay to the court. This cash starts the divorce case. All folks have to pay these fees.
4. How does a helper save me cash?
A helper helps you and the one you are wed to agree with no court fight. This costs less than paying lawyers for a long court fight.
5. What if we own a home with each other?
You will need to agree on what to do with the home. You might sell it and split the cash. Or one person might keep it and pay the other for their part.
6. Can we make our own plan on paper?
Yes, you can write down what you both agree to. It is a good idea to have a lawyer look it over good before you both sign it.
7. What if the one I am wed to will not agree to any thing?
If that person will not agree, your divorce will likely cost more cash. You may need a lawyer to help you get a fair deal from a judge.
8. How long does a cheap divorce take to finish?
If you agree on all things, a divorce in Michigan can be done in a few months. A lot of fighting makes it take much more time.
9. What are “ticky tacky” things the film talks of?
These are small, not key problems that are not worth a fight. If you argue about them, it just adds to your lawyer bills for no good cause.
10. Is it less costly if we do not have kids?
Yes, divorces with no kids are often more plain and less costly. This is since there are no plans for kid care or kid cash to pick.
11. What if I want to keep things plain, but the other wants more?
You will have to pick if it is best to give them a bit more to keep calm. Or, you may need to stand up for what is fair, even if it costs cash.
12. Where can I get help if I do not have cash for a lawyer?
Some lawyers give free first talks to new folks. There are also law aid groups that might help folks with very low cash flow.
We can help Need to talk this over?: If you have things you want to ask about your divorce, we are here to help. Our team knows Michigan family law very well. We want to help you find the best road for your case.
Reach out to us today: You can call or text us at (248) 590-6600. Look at our web page at ChooseGoldman.com to learn more. Or you can set up a free talk about your case there. Let us help you go on with your life.