What Are My Options If I Can’t Afford a Divorce Lawyer in Connecticut?

Divorce can be a very difficult and expensive process, but what happens if you can’t afford a divorce lawyer? Even if you think that your divorce is straightforward and you and your soon-to-be ex-spouse are on amicable terms, it is always crucial to have an experienced legal representative on your side for this difficult process. You may have several options available to you, and it’s vital to prepare accordingly.

Know Your Options When You Can’t Afford a Divorce Lawyer

Ending your marriage in Connecticut may require resolving multiple complex issues, including division of your property, deciding custody of your children, and establishing long-term financial agreements for things like child support and alimony. Every divorce case is unique, but every person going through this process benefits when they have legal counsel they can trust representing them.

A New London divorce lawyer can help you prepare for this process, gathering the financial records you need for financial disclosure to resolve property division and helping you make a strong case for the custody terms you hope to secure. However, if you cannot afford to hire a divorce lawyer, it’s important to know the options available to you:

• You can effectively represent yourself, and if you can prove financial hardship, you may be eligible for court fee waivers that can reduce the cost of your divorce. It is important to remember that self-representation or “Pro Se” representation is very risky, even if you believe that you and your spouse are on good terms and can amicably resolve your divorce.
• There are various legal aid resources available in Connecticut that may be able to connect you with low-cost legal services. Many of these services require proof of financial hardship.
• Some New London family lawyers offer flat rates for specific legal services. You may be able to secure the legal counsel you need for very specific aspects of your case at minimal cost, rather than paying an hourly fee to an attorney throughout your entire divorce case.
• If you have been financially dependent on your spouse, you may be able to pay for a divorce lawyer using funds from your marital estate. It will be crucial to track all expenses this way to provide fairness in property division.

The divorce rate in Connecticut was 2.6 per 1,000 residents in 2022, which is significantly higher than the national average that year. Married couples decide to divorce for countless reasons, and most divorce cases in Connecticut are filed on a “no-fault” basis, which simply means the marriage has irreparably broken down due to irreconcilable differences. Regardless of the underlying reason for your divorce, you should hire a divorce lawyer if you are able to do so.

Hiring experienced legal representation significantly improves your chances of not only resolving your case swiftly, but also securing the terms and conditions in your divorce order that you hope to see. The team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has years of proven experience helping clients in New London and throughout Connecticut with these difficult cases, so reach out to our firm as soon as possible to learn how we can help with your case.

FAQs

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Divorce Lawyer in Connecticut?

The cost to hire a divorce lawyer in Connecticut usually depends on how much time your lawyer must spend working on your case. The majority of divorce attorneys in Connecticut charge hourly rates, meaning they will track time spent working on cases and bill clients regularly as their case progresses. Make sure you fully understand a potential attorney’s billing policy before agreeing to their representation.

How Long Does a Divorce Take Without an Attorney?

Without an attorney, divorce can take much longer due to the average person’s inexperience and the fact that they will need to manage their case while also handling their job and other personal responsibilities. If you don’t hire a divorce lawyer, you will need to carefully review Connecticut’s divorce laws and apply them to your situation, meet all filing deadlines with the court, and respond appropriately to your spouse’s motions and filings.

Can I Resolve My Divorce Outside of Court Without an Attorney?

Yes, it is possible to resolve your divorce outside of court without an attorney. Many divorcing couples in Connecticut choose alternative dispute resolution like divorce mediation, and this will require hiring a neutral mediator to facilitate your and your spouse’s negotiation of your divorce terms. The mediator cannot provide you with legal advice, however. Their job is to help you and your spouse develop divorce terms that align with state law.

What Is the Fastest Way to Divorce in Connecticut?

The fastest way to divorce in Connecticut would be to file a “non-adversarial” or simplified divorce, often called an uncontested divorce. However, there are strict eligibility requirements. You and your spouse must have been married for less than nine years, have no children together, and the total property owned by either spouse must be less than $80,000. This type of divorce could be granted in about 35 days without the need to see a judge if you and your spouse qualify.

Why Is it Better to Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

It is better to hire a divorce lawyer than to try to handle your divorce alone because the outcome of your divorce case is likely to influence your life in several ways for years to come. While you may need to explore the options available to you that could drive down the cost of your divorce, working with an experienced divorce attorney significantly improves your chances of reaching a fair outcome.

The team at Suisman Shapiro Attorneys-at-Law has the experience and resources you need on your side if you are preparing for divorce in Connecticut. We have successfully resolved many difficult cases, and while you may be concerned about the cost of hiring a lawyer, it is well worth the expense to have legal counsel you can trust during this process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team and learn how we can help.