How To Get A Free Divorce

It is no secret that going through a divorce can be challenging. Not just emotionally. But financially too.

Yes, a divorce can not just drain your energy and time. But it can drain your savings too if you’re not careful. 

But what if you don’t have much, if any money to spare? Can you still get a divorce?

The answer to that is yes. In fact, it may be possible to even get a divorce for free. Below we look at how to get a free divorce and give you an overview of the process. 

Typical Divorce Costs

Most of the time, the process of divorce can cost you a lot of money. In 2021, the average cost of divorce was between $10,000 and $15,000. 

Filing fees for divorce can range from $75 to over $400. The cost will depend on the state where you will file for a divorce. 

And the average cost of a divorce lawyer will average somewhere around $250 per hour. That will vary a bit depending on where you live and the experience level of the attorney. 

With all that said, let’s jump into how you may be able to get a divorce for free. Or if not free, at least one that is not that expensive. 

How To Get A Free Divorce

The good news is that many states offer a helpful solution for those who need a divorce but can’t easily pay for it: an indigent divorce or fee waiver. This process lets you file for divorce and ask the court to skip the fees.

Your first step is to get the divorce forms. You can easily find them online by looking at your local divorce or family court’s website. This site usually has forms you can download or print out. Along with the divorce form, you can also find a form to ask for the fee waiver.

If you prefer, you can also go to the local courthouse and ask for these forms in person. But remember, to get your court fees waived, you’ll need to show proof that paying for a divorce is too much for you financially.

This might mean bringing papers that show how much you earn or other proof that money is tight. This way, the court can see your situation and decide to waive the fees, making the divorce process more affordable for you.

Documents You’ll Need

You need to show a proof of your:

• Income including:
  • Social Security
  • Child Support
  • Disability Benefits
  • Payroll
• Assets
• Debts including:
  • Credit Card Debts
  • Loans
  • Utility Bills
• Tax info may also be requested

These documents will usually need to be notarized. Either your bank or the clerk can notarize them upon filing. 

Your documents will be reviewed by the judge. Sometimes a hearing for this is needed. 

Your fee waiver may either be approved by the court, or the court may decide to defer your fee. The latter means you can pay for the court fees later. 

A DIY Divorce

Another way to get a low-cost divorce is a Do-It-Yourself divorce. You can be a good candidate for a DIY divorce for the following reasons:

• If the divorce is uncontested or there is an agreement on all the issues such as:
  • Division of property
  • Child custody
  • Child support
• If both spouses are comfortable regarding the agreement, and if it is fair and reasonable

Another less expensive way of handling situations like this is through a divorce mediation. A divorce mediation means that a professional will put a closure to divorce issues. 

This is especially great for people who are having difficulty agreeing on certain issues mentioned earlier.