Please help me pay for my divorce attorney

[EmsMom]

Negotiations with the mediator seem to have stalled and I decided to get a lawyer. I have almost enough money in my emergency fund to pay for it (but not quite). I could borrow some of it at 6.9% and pay it back (with an austerity budget) over about three months. I am inclined to do this rather than completely wipe out all of my funds. If I have something else happen I would have to charge it on a credit card with a much higher interest rate.

Any other suggestions? There isn't anyone who could lend it to me. The only other debt I have is a car loan and once the divorce is final, I will be able to pay that off immediately (along with the other loan if there is anything left).

I really hate to do it because I prefer to live debt free, but this is really dragging out and I can't stand it anymore. Also, in the end, I stand to make at least the equal of the attorney fee in an increased settlement.

[DeerMother]

I am hurting waiting for my divorce to be final!

Wedding rings or jewelry? I got a necklace appraised for free where he bought it and need to get my set appraised. My ring is under .75 carats which means you get more out of it as a piece of jewelry then selling for the gold or diamonds. I plan on trying eBay.

[EmsMom]

Oh, I wish I had a ring. I do plan to sell the wedding ring for the gold, but it can't be worth too much. I also have a box of silver flatware I am going to sell, maybe tomorrow. But I don't think it is worth too much. I really don't have too much of any real value. I don't buy too much so I don't accumulate too much either. On a strict austerity budget I can come up with an extra $900 or so a month. I interviewed for a new job that would pay more today. Keeping my fingers crossed anyway. I really just need about $3000 short term. Barring any emergencies, it would be paid off quickly. Thanks for the suggestion. Good luck with your divorce.

[DeerMother]

Thanks. You too. Good luck with your interview. Onwards and upwards!

If it's gold, I'd call around to pawn and jewelers to see who gives the most. Seems to be a lot of people selling and there is some variance in price in my area.

[provocativa]

Also, shop around for attorneys. Mine is a lot cheaper than some that I called. She did a sliding scale retainer, based on the info I gave her, because she considered it 'uncontested'. Also, if you have any lawyer friends, they may be able to answer questions about divorce law for you, even if they don't do divorces, and that can save you money (minutes are real money @ 150 an hour!) You could also ask your questions of a law student at their practice clinics, if you have one near you.

[EmsMom]

Well, I think this is the first time I saw a question posted on these boards about going into debt that didn't have people jumping all over it saying no, don't do it. So I guess that I must be on fairly solid ground with my choice.

So, debt it is. I will shop around for a cheaper lawyer a bit, though. And I plan to get the information from him and still negotiate with the mediator myself, though, IF that continues to be a possibility.

Wish me luck, ladies. I feel as if I walking into the lions lair.

[nola79]

I got a 2nd job to pay for my divorce attorney. I don't know if you're in a position to do that, but it really did not take that long for me. I put every paycheck from that job towards atty fees.

[EmsMom]

I can't really take on a second job right now because I am in grad school full-time and I am already working about 20 hours a week. And I have two kids. However, I did go on a job interview last week and if I get it, I would have a full-time job which would help a great deal. I just have a thing about never going into debt, so I was hoping there might be another option that I haven't thought of. I know I can pay it off pretty quickly once I do the deed. And I could probably pay for it out of savings, but it would literally leave me with nothing extra at all. I was hoping to trust the mediation process, but I don't.

[pitter_patter]

Since you are a student are you able to get a subsidized student loan? The interest rate would be low and there's no accelerated payment penalty.

[nola79]

Have you looked into legal aid of some sort? There are usually low cost attorneys available through your area. Google or look in the phonebook for legal aid.

[EmsMom]

I met with the attorney today. He was willing to take half the retainer now, half later which means no debt because I can manage that $2500 out of savings. Yeah! And from what he said today, it was the best possible decision for me. The payoff as opposed to what was happening in the mediation could be quite a bit. At least I had access to some money. What about all of the other women who have no access to that kind of money? Some of the attorneys I spoke to don't even take a credit card, not that that would be a great solution either. Something is very wrong with that.

Thanks for the suggestions, ladies.