How to Obtain a Divorce When You Cannot Afford One

There are affordable strategies for ending a marriage.

In some cases, while a divorce may cause financial challenges, couples still find it best to end a marriage. Getting a divorce is difficult enough without worrying about having the money necessary to retain the services of a lawyer. The fact is that there are resources available to you through which you can obtain a divorce even in a situation where you cannot spend money hiring a divorce lawyer.

Things You'll Need

• Self-help guidelines and materials from court clerk
• Application for legal aid assistance
• Application for law clinic representation

Instructions

1. Connect with the court clerk in the county in which you reside. The typical court clerk maintains self-service resources for people who desire to pursue a divorce on their own. These resources include standard forms needed to file a divorce as well as instructions explaining how to complete the paperwork. Court clerks also provide guidelines on the divorce process itself. Oftentimes, these materials are available from the court clerk's brick and mortar office as well as through an Internet website.

2. Contact the local legal aid organization in your community or region. Most mid- to large-size communities maintain non-profit legal aid organizations that provide no-cost or low-cost legal representation to individuals without the financial means to hire private counsel.

3. Complete the application provided by the legal aid office to obtain legal representation in your divorce case. If you meet the income guidelines---which vary from one office to another---you will be provided with a lawyer to help pursue your divorce case.

4. Schedule an appointment at a law school clinic. Law schools across the country maintain clinical programs for students in their final year of study. Under the supervision of licensed attorneys, these law students provide legal representation for people unable to pay for their own private counsel.

5. Complete the application process. Upon satisfying financial guidelines, a law clinic participant will be assigned to represent you in your divorce case.

Tips & Warnings

• Another step to take when you want to file for divorce on limited funds is to seek a waiver of the divorce case filing fee. The clerk of the court can provide you with a motion and accompanying affidavit to waive the filing fee based on your financial status.

References

• California Courts: Self Help Center---Divorce, Legal Separation & Annulment
• National Legal Aid and Defender Association
• Washburn Law Clinic

Resources

• American Bar Association: Section of Family Law