Divorce can never truly be called an easy or a pleasant time in a Dallas resident’s life. People enter marriages with high hopes, and whether the marriage is still new or whether a couple has been together for decades, it can be difficult to admit when it’s come to an end. Some will avoid talking or even thinking about the divorce process because of the perception that the costs involved will prove ruinous. It can be instructive, however, to approach the problem from the opposite angle and consider the financial costs of staying in a bad marriage.

Couples struggling in their marriages often begin to exhibit some bad habits when it comes to money. As their bond of communication weakens, spouses may end up spending money without telling each other, leading to overdraft fees in the checking account and bills going unpaid due to cash flow problems. On the other hand, a partner may try to win another’s affections back with lavish spending. Simply put, the chances that a couple will make sound financial decisions together as their marriage falters get slimmer as time goes on.

Many will try counseling to save their marriages — and of course, some will find a measure of success with this strategy. But again, the longer it takes, the more expensive it can get. And when a couple finally does reach the end of a marriage after all else fails, they may channel their pent-up frustration and resentment into a protracted legal battle. In this scenario, it’s true, a divorce can get expensive.

The good news is: it doesn’t have to be this way. A collaborative law divorce, when approached by a couple who are ready to go their separate ways and are able to talk and work through their issues cooperatively, can save themselves money, time and the negative emotions that often snowball in litigation. Legal professionals with experience in this area are available to discuss the process in more detail.