It can be rather expensive to divorce in Tennessee. The average cost of divorce in the state is $12,600. The state also has the 13th highest court filing fee in the nation, with couples needing to pay $303 just to file the paperwork.
A lot of people do not have that kind of money to pay for a divorce, but they need to separate from their partner. Your rate will ultimately depend on how many assets you and your partner share and whether you have any children together. Fortunately, there are ways to lower your cost. You just need to keep your options open.
Compromise often
You may want to get as much as you can out of this divorce. However, the truth is you may not need absolutely everything. You may want to keep the house, but you cannot reasonably afford it on your own. It often works in both spouses’ best interest to sell the property and split the money evenly. You need to remain open to these kinds of negotiations and realize what you will be able to afford once you live on your own. Compromising decreases the length of the divorce process, so you spend less money in the long run.
See if you can waive the filing fee
Tennessee requires couples filing for divorce to pay $303 with the initial paperwork. The thing most people do not realize is that they may be able to waive that fee. This only works if you show you do not make a lot of money, but it is worth a shot.
Budget ahead of time
You may find yourself scrambling for cash in the months following a divorce, mainly because now you have to pay your own bills without your spouse’s income. You should budget ahead of time when you first file, so you can prepare accordingly. Look at how much money you bring in each month and what you will need to pay in rent, food and utilities. This can help you avoid running into a financial emergency later.
