How Do You Finance a Divorce?

Many people are worried about how they will pay for divorce once the process is over. However, most attorneys require money to be paid either up-front or during the legal proceeding. The question people ask most often is how they will get the money to hire a divorce lawyer in the first place. There is no set answer, and depending on your individual financial needs understanding what route to take to hire an attorney can be confusing.

There is an earning disparity between the parties in most divorces, meaning one party is likely bringing in more income. This often places the higher-earning power in control of the money, making it difficult for the lower-earning party to hire a divorce attorney. Most divorce lawyers require a large retainer to be put down before your case will be taken. This is because Texas does not allow contingency fee divorces. A contingency fee means that an attorney will not get paid unless their client wins their case. Still, it is not applicable in a divorce case because it encourages parties to find an amicable and equitable settlement. As a result, most divorce cases will never set foot in a trial because their case will settle out in a mediation or arbitration before.

Focusing back on how to kick start your divorce, there are several options a person in financial need can turn to if they otherwise cannot afford the initial process of hiring an attorney. It is essential to understand and assess your needs because these options can be combined in various ways to fit your needs.

To begin, if you have any savings or rainy-day fund accounts, affording a divorce attorney may be a quick withdrawal for you. However, if you are like most ordinary people, there is no savings or rainy-day fund to be considered. Therefore, if you are not in imminent need of a divorce attorney, it would be wise to start saving money if the need ever arises. Overall, the goal is not to need the savings, but it is better to be over-prepared than underprepared.

Another suitable method many people utilize is borrowing money from friends, family, or coworkers. Many parents are often willing to help their children pay for their legal services since their child’s well-being is essential. It is also not uncommon that siblings, other family members, and even a new significant other would help pay for the legal services. Although it may not be realistic to borrow from multiple people, it is not uncommon for clients to request small sums from various family members.

With the increased popularity of crowdfunding, there have been numerous people seeking donations online for various reasons. Therefore, it would not be out of the ordinary to see someone online requesting donations to help fund their divorce. Crowdfunding’s popularity has grown drastically because the internet’s ability to expand its reach across many forums makes it easier for family, friends, and even random strangers to partake in donating. This would mean opening and sharing your marriage experience with your spouse over the internet because most people want a backstory before they commit to donating. Many crowdfunding campaigns have gone viral, receiving millions in donations, so it is not impossible.

Another measure people turn to when they want fast and easy money is to either apply for a credit card or a personal loan. It would be wise to conduct your research regarding loans and credit cards since many types to choose from. However, some trustworthy places to borrow from are banks and credit unions. Next, people have successfully borrowed money from their retirement accounts to help fund their divorce. However, it’s important to remember that in most Texas divorce cases, money accumulated in a 401k plan during the marriage is considered marital property. Any money borrowed from the marital property must be accountable for during the divorce. Some plan sponsors or employers don’t require spousal consent for their employees to withdraw or take out a loan from their 401k plan, but most do. Some programs may not even allow loans or withdrawals, which is why it is essential to understand your plan before considering this option.

Also, some clients have done cash-out refinance loans on their vehicles to help them afford their divorce attorney. It is essential to consider a few things before doing so. For one, how much money will you be able to pull out of the car? What will interest rates be offered? It is also essential to know that cars are a depreciating asset, losing their value quickly. You could end up in a situation where you will owe more than the car is worth because the loan will still be even as the car continues to lose its value.

If the methods above are not a fit for you, it is good to know that some attorneys offer payment plan options to pay for their fees. For example, here at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC. There are three ways a person can hire an attorney. The potential client can pay upfront $10,000 with no monthly recurring payments to fund the legal proceeding. Secondly, they can pay $5,0000 down with regular $1,000 monthly payments. Lastly, they can work with one of our junior attorneys for $2,500 down with monthly payments of $500. These are very fair fees, considering how expensive a divorce can get. A few attorneys might claim they can get your case done for a fixed amount, but you should beware this will not be accurate in the end if you sacrifice quality over quantity.

Lastly, it is not uncommon for people to sell their valuable property to come up with the money to hire a divorce attorney. Many will sell their wedding and engagement rings to foot that bill. No orders are saying what can and can’t be done with the property. Meaning you can sell the property to come up with the funds, but after the divorce has been filed, it no longer may be done.

If you are stressed with how you will afford to hire a divorce attorney, there are many ways you can consider. Exercising any method or combination of these methods will help you reach your goal of hiring an attorney. However, if you believe your marriage may be on the brink of divorce, it would be wise to begin preparing for what the future may hold. This can include selling some property or starting a rainy-day fund account.

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Other Articles you may be interested in:

1. How Can I Get My Spouse to Pay My Attorney’s Fees in a Texas Divorce?
2. How am I going to Pay for My Texas Divorce?
3. Should I Hide Money from my Spouse to Get Ready for my Texas Divorce?
4. 7 Important Ways to Financially Prepare for Your Texas Divorce
5. 6 Tips – On How to prepare for a Texas Divorce
6. What are the Steps of a Contested Texas Divorce, and How can I Prepare for Them?
7. Can I get child support while my Texas divorce is pending?
8. 6 Mistakes that can Destroy Your Texas Divorce Case
9. Six things You Need to Know Before You File for Divorce in Texas
10. I Want a Texas Divorce, but My Husband Doesn’t: What can I do?

Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC | Spring Divorce Lawyers

The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, routinely handles matters that affect children and families. If you have questions regarding divorce, it’s essential to speak with one of our Spring, TX Divorce Lawyers right away to protect your rights.

Our divorce lawyers in Spring, TX, are skilled at listening to your goals during this trying process and developing a strategy to meet those goals. Contact the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC by calling (281) 810-9760 or submit your contact information in our online form. The Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC, handles Divorce cases in Spring, Texas, Cypress, Spring, Klein, Humble, Kingwood, Tomball, The Woodlands, the FM 1960 area, or surrounding areas, including Harris County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County.

Bryan Joseph Fagan( Attorney )

Bryan Fagan, a native of Atascocita, Texas, is a dedicated family law attorney inspired by John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief.” He is the first lawyer in his family, which includes two adopted brothers. Bryan’s commitment to family is personal and professional; he cared for his grandmother with Alzheimer’s while completing his degree and attended the South Texas College of Law at night.

Married with three children, Bryan’s personal experiences enrich his understanding of family dynamics, which is central to his legal practice. He specializes in family law, offering innovative and efficient legal services. A certified member of the College of the State Bar of Texas, Bryan is part of an elite group of legal professionals committed to ongoing education and high-level expertise.

His legal practice covers divorce, custody disputes, property disputes, adoption, paternity, and mediation. Bryan is also experienced in drafting marital property agreements. He leads a team dedicated to complex family law cases and protecting families from false CPS allegations.

Based in Houston, Bryan is active in the Houston Family Law Sector of the Houston Bar Association and various family law groups in Texas. His deep understanding of family values and his professional dedication make him a compassionate advocate for families navigating Texas family law.