Contested Divorce in Atlanta: What if My Ex Is Much Richer Than Me?

While divorce is often challenging for spouses, this process can be particularly challenging for those who have much less wealth than their exes. You might feel like the underdog in this scenario, and you might be wondering how you’re possibly going to stand up to your ex and their expensive lawyers. However, the road ahead might be more hopeful than you realize, especially if you work with an experienced Atlanta divorce attorney.

Contested Divorces Are Usually More Expensive

If you’re concerned about the cost of your divorce, you should know that a contested divorce is almost always more expensive than alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Also known as “litigation,” a contested divorce only occurs when spouses cannot settle their disputes through private negotiations like mediation or collaborative law. Unlike ADR, courtroom trials are also public, time-consuming, and stressful.

As a result, it is probably in your best interests to avoid a contested divorce if possible. If your ex is intent on taking you to court, you may have little control over this. However, you might want to re-examine your stance if you’re the one pushing for litigation.

Your Ex Might Have to Pay Your Legal Fees

If a divorce trial is inevitable, take reassurance in the fact that your ex might be required to pay your legal fees. From the perspective of the family court, half of the marital property in your estate belongs to you – even if the details of your property division settlement are still unresolved. As a result, the family court will allow you to access these funds in order to cover your legal fees. In other words, your ex might have to help you pay for your lawyer – even if you’re not directly in control of the funds in question.

This may be something worth discussing with your family law attorney. Note that it is not an automatic process, and you might still have to cover a portion or all of your legal fees depending on your unique circumstances. For example, you might need to pay your own legal fees if you have a considerable inheritance.

Consider the Possibility of Asset Concealment

If you are less financially savvy compared to your ex, you have to be aware of the potential for financial misconduct. Your lack of knowledge of the family estate could be detrimental, and this is why it is so important to work with financial and legal professionals. If you suspect your ex could be concealing marital assets from you, notify your lawyer right away. You may also need to work with a forensic accountant to track down concealed assets.

Should I Hire an Atlanta Divorce Lawyer?

If you’re wondering whether you can hire a divorce lawyer in Atlanta despite your relatively low wealth, the answer may be more positive than you realize. If your ex earned much more than you during the marriage, they may be required to pay your legal fees. There are many other strategies to consider when pursuing a contested divorce with limited funds. You can discuss them with Buckhead Family Law today.

Source: 

georgia.gov/file-divorce