Divorce in New York can be financially draining—especially if the case is contested. Legal fees, housing changes, and shifts in income can leave you feeling like your wallet is under siege. But there’s good news: with smart strategy and a little discipline, you can significantly reduce your divorce-related expenses without compromising your outcome.
Here are nine practical ways to save money during your divorce:
1. Create (and Commit to) a Budget
The moment you decide to divorce, your financial situation starts to shift—often dramatically. Crafting a clear, realistic budget helps you stay grounded and in control during a time when emotions can cloud judgment.
Start by documenting your current monthly income and all expenses—housing, utilities, groceries, child care, transportation, and debt payments. Then, identify areas where you can reduce or eliminate spending. Dining out, streaming services, or spontaneous online purchases may need to go on hold.
Pro tip: Use a budgeting app like YNAB, Mint, or EveryDollar to track spending and visualize your financial health in real-time. Even small sacrifices—cutting out that second latte or canceling a rarely used subscription—can accumulate quickly and help fund legal fees or an emergency savings buffer.
2. Do the Prep Work for Your Attorney
Hiring a divorce attorney doesn’t mean handing over your entire life and waiting for them to piece it together. The more groundwork you do upfront, the more money you save in hourly fees—and the more smoothly your case will move forward.
One of the biggest time-savers? Providing your attorney with complete, well-organized financial documentation early in the process.
Attorneys (and the court) need a full financial picture to determine:
- Equitable division of marital property
- Child support and spousal support eligibility
- What is separate property vs. marital property
- Your ability to pay or need for financial assistance
Here’s a checklist of the documents your attorney will likely request, and why they matter:
Income Verification
- Recent pay stubs (last 3–6 months)
- W-2s and/or 1099s (last 2 years)
- Tax returns (state and federal, last 2–3 years)
- Business income statements (if self-employed)
- Unemployment or disability statements (if applicable)
Why it’s needed: To assess each party’s earnings, calculate child and spousal support, and uncover any discrepancies in reported income.
Bank Accounts
- Checking and savings account statements (typically 12 months)
- Online bank access (read-only), if you’re comfortable
Why it’s needed: Helps identify spending patterns, joint assets, hidden accounts, and any irregular transfers that might signal dissipation of marital funds.
Credit Cards & Debts
- Credit card statements (personal and joint)
- Loan documents (student loans, personal loans, payday loans, etc.)
- Mortgage or HELOC statements
Why it’s needed: To determine marital vs. separate debt and develop a fair distribution of financial obligations.
Real Estate
- Mortgage payoff balance
- Property deed(s)
- Property tax statements
- Appraisals or home value estimates
- Rental income (if any)
Why it’s needed: Real estate is often the largest marital asset. These records help assess equity, determine who might keep the home, and calculate buyout amounts.
Retirement & Investment Accounts
- 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, and pension statements
- Brokerage and stock portfolio statements
- Crypto wallets or investment platforms
Why it’s needed: These accounts are subject to equitable distribution in New York and must be accurately valued—especially if one spouse contributed significantly more.
Insurance Policies
- Health insurance (premiums and plan info)
- Life insurance (cash value and beneficiaries)
- Auto, home, and disability insurance
Why it’s needed: Insurance responsibilities and benefits can be negotiated, especially when children are involved. Life insurance is often required to secure support obligations.
Business Interests (if applicable)
- Operating agreements
- P&L statements and balance sheets
- Tax returns and bank accounts
- Business valuation reports
Why it’s needed: If either spouse owns a business, its value may be considered a marital asset. Full transparency is critical to avoid underreporting.
Miscellaneous
- Prenuptial or postnuptial agreements
- Trusts or inheritance documentation
- Vehicle titles and loan info
- School tuition, extracurricular, or childcare receipts (for children)
- Any court orders from previous legal matters (like child support from a prior relationship)
Why it’s needed: These documents can dramatically influence what’s considered separate property, who gets what, and how financial obligations are calculated.
Final Tip:
If you’re unsure where to start, ask your attorney for a “document request checklist” or create a shared folder (Google Drive, Dropbox) for faster access. Organizing this yourself could save hundreds—even thousands—in attorney time.
3. Don’t Fight Just to Win
It’s tempting to fight over the couch or the wedding china just to spite your ex—but consider the cost. Spending thousands in legal fees over an item worth $300 doesn’t serve you. Before turning a disagreement into a court battle, ask yourself: “Is this worth the price tag?” Let go of battles that drain your wallet more than they serve your future.
Pro tip: Instead, focus your energy on the issues that truly impact your future—like parenting plans, retirement accounts, or real estate.
4. Settle What You Can Outside of Court
If you and your spouse can be civil, use that to your financial advantage. Sit down and draft preliminary agreements on custody, child support, or property division. The more you can resolve privately, the fewer court appearances—and billable hours—you’ll need. Even partial agreements can streamline negotiations and reduce legal costs.
5. Use Your Lawyer for Legal Matters—Not Emotional Ones
Your lawyer is your legal advocate—not your therapist, life coach, or messenger. While they can help you draft effective communication strategies, they shouldn’t be the middleman every time you need to talk to your ex. Save money by handling minor coordination (like drop-off schedules or holiday swaps) on your own, and reserve attorney time for legal strategy and filings.
6. Be Honest and Transparent
Withholding information from your lawyer—or worse, hiding assets—will backfire. Not only can this result in legal penalties, but it also leads to costly delays as your attorney untangles the mess. Be upfront from the beginning so your lawyer can protect your interests without having to redo work or engage in unnecessary backtracking.
7. Consider Mediation or Alternative Dispute Resolution
Litigation isn’t your only option—and in many cases, it shouldn’t be your first. Exploring alternative ways to resolve your divorce can save you thousands in legal fees, reduce emotional stress, and help maintain civility (especially important if children are involved).
Here are some commonly overlooked options that can help reduce the cost and complexity of your divorce in New York:
- Mediation: A neutral third party helps you and your spouse work through disagreements. It’s collaborative, confidential, and significantly cheaper than trial. You still retain the right to consult with your lawyer before signing any agreement.
- Collaborative Divorce: Both parties hire attorneys trained in collaborative law and agree to settle without going to court. If negotiations fail, you’ll need to hire new attorneys—but most couples who go this route reach an agreement.
- Settlement Negotiations: Even if your case is “contested,” many matters can be resolved through direct negotiation between attorneys. Reaching agreements on some or all aspects of your divorce before trial can reduce the number of court appearances needed—and slash legal fees.
- Unbundled Legal Services (Limited Scope Representation): If you can’t afford full-service representation, some attorneys offer “a la carte” help—like reviewing paperwork or preparing for mediation—without taking on your entire case. This can be a budget-friendly option for organized, proactive individuals.
8. Don’t Overspend Just Because You’re Divorcing
Avoid the post-breakup spending spree. It might feel good to redecorate your new apartment or splurge on a weekend getaway, but that high can come with a long-term financial hangover. Focus on financial stability first. There’s time to rebuild your life—start with the basics.
9. Choose the Right Attorney for Your Needs
Not every divorce requires a high-conflict litigator. If your case is straightforward, seek out an attorney who’s experienced, efficient, and settlement-focused. At Brian D. Perskin & Associates, we believe in practical solutions and cost-conscious advocacy. We prioritize out-of-court settlements when possible and give clients tools to stay involved and in control of their case—and their budget.
Work with an Elite Team of Divorce Attorneys in NYC
You don’t have to go broke to get divorced. With over 20 years of experience in Manhattan and Brooklyn family courts, the attorneys at Brian D. Perskin & Associates P.C. are here to guide you through the process with clarity, confidence, and care.
📞 Call (718) 875-7584 to get stared today.