If you and your spouse both agree on the desirability of getting through your divorce quickly and inexpensively, then a low cost divorce should be possible. The expense of your divorce depends on the way that you use a lawyer.

Retaining a lawyer to take charge of your case can get very expensive. Alternatively, you could only consult with a lawyer when you need help thinking through the legal aspects of your divorce.

The following are some tips for achieving a low cost divorce.

1.) Pro Se divorce. Pro Se divorce means dispensing with a lawyer altogether and handling it on your own. You can get help with the paperwork by approaching agents in the county government. Be aware that improper handing of asset and debt division, child support, child custody, and alimony can have very negative long term consequences.

2.) Uncontested divorce. In an uncontested divorce, both parties have worked out all of the issues of their divorce without the help of the court system. The word “uncontested” doesn’t imply that one party just “caves in” to the other. It simply means that whatever conflicts that existed were resolved without going to court. Avoiding time in court is crucial for the low cost divorce. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean divorce without a lawyer. Lawyers can and perhaps should be consulted for advice. The more complex the nature of the divorce, the greater the need for such advice.

3.) Lawyer who charges a flat rate. If your budget is tight, then getting a lawyer who charges a flat rate for his services rather than an hourly rate may be more sensible. Just make sure that you know exactly what you will get for this flat fee.

4.) Focus on the important issues and stick with the plan. Don’t let yourself get side tracked on small trivial concerns. Getting derailed eats up time, costs money, and generates unnecessary stress as well as unwanted tension between you and your spouse. This will quickly sabotage your efforts at a low cost divorce. Remember that a trivial concern is exactly that: trivial.

5.) Hire a mediator. If there are disagreements that you can’t seem to work out, get a third party mediator to help you. Asking a marriage counselor to act as a go between is one way to do this.

6.) Learn all you can about your divorce before meeting with your lawyer. This ensures that the time spent with your lawyer is used more effectively. Ideally you only want to use him for things that only he can do.

7.) Always weigh the cost of dispute against the value of the asset. A favorite old chair isn’t even worth your own time let alone that of a mediator or lawyer.

8.) Always be civil. Don’t push your spouses buttons and don’t allow her to push yours. A low cost divorce requires a lot cooperation from both sides so keep the rapport going.

9.) Keep written records of your correspondence with your spouse especially when you both come to an agreement about an issue.