low cost divorce options?

[lostinok]

Hello,

I posted over on the main board but perhaps it is better suited to this one, I'm not sure.  My question is basically, what is the least expensive way to get divorced?  I see divorce software packages online for $140, and there are lots of books and kits.  But are they legitimate?  I think we can work out an agreement regarding division of everything and child custody. I don't mind doing the work and putting the time into it.  I just don't have any money to pay for a lawyer.  We are getting by but I have now savings left now thanks to a recent health emergency, no available credit, nothing.  I might be able to scrape together $100, but the lawyers want retainers up front that are much bigger than that. Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if anyone has had experience separating financial stuff, I could really use some pointers.  We have slightly more assets than debts, and everything is in both of our names except for one very large credit card debt that is totally in my name.  Is it possible to get loans out of your name, and transfer credit card debt?  Or will we be forced to sell everything to pay off the debts?  I know that even if the judge orders him to pay off a debt that is in my name, if he doesn't pay or is late, they come after me, and they don't care what the judge said.

Thanks for any advice...

[Gaeap]

Lostinok,  Try as best as you can to do the no fault divorce.  Agree on everything.  One of the main points that got to me when I had my divorce is that if you go to court, you are putting your life into someones hands that really doens't care; the judge.  The only way to stay in control of your life is to try and work it out between the stbx on all matters.  Oh and make sure its' in writting.  I have a credit card debt taht was in my name and the ex said he would help to pay it off.  We decided not to put it in the decree and have I see one penny, uh no...  Not a big deal really as we did agree on CS that was more that required by the state so I consider that partial payment. 

To get my divorce done, I went to Lee here on the board and I think it cost me $500 roughly.  Very simple process since we really had everything figured out already.  I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself.  Maybe send Lee a pm asking if he knows anyone in OK that will do uncontested divorces?  There is no hurry btw to get divorced, so save up your money and do it right.  That is if there isn't a rush...

Good luck and keep posting.

P

[lostinok]

Thank you for the response.  I was told that even an uncontested divorce would require a $1,000 retainer. 

Unfortunately, there is a rush.  There is someone else involved and I am very vulnerable financially.  Also, the working relationship based on mutual trust and friendship that I thought I had with my stbx was not based on reality.

[Kidssew]

I may be wrong but I don't think a Judge will be doing any "ordering" in a noncontested divorce. The purpose of noncontested is you agree on everything & you can state who will be doing what or paying what. It all just has to be signed by a Judge to become a legal divorce.  I would not waste any money on a "do-it-yourself" deal. Unless you can get a loan for the lawyer, you need to wait until you have enough to go through the channels with proper counsel.  If you put up a retainer to begin with, you most likely will have to pay the full amount before your paperwork is submitted to the court system/Judge. Your attorney fees are not the only expenses. There are filing fees you will also have to pay.  Seems the cost just grows & grows... Good luck.

[livealittle]

what state are you in? 

[Lee Borden]

$1000 retainer is on the high side for an uncontested divorce. Keep shopping around. Google uncontested divorce and your state, and I bet you'll find some people who have set out to serve people just like you.