Low-Cost Divorce Options
At Meriwether &
Tharp, we understand that divorce can be an unexpected and costly process. In
an effort to make divorce more affordable for everyone, M&T offers several
different options for individuals divorcing on a tight budget.
Do-It-Yourself
If a person chooses
not to or cannot afford to hire an attorney, they have the legal right to
represent themselves (this is called pro se). Some counties in Georgia may
offer free divorce forms which can be completed and submitted to the court.
If a litigant meets
certain income requirements, they may submit an Affidavit of Indigence with the
court, which would waive the filing and service fees associated with filing a
Complaint for Divorce.
At M&T, we offer
online divorce forms custom-tailored to your case. Your custom forms will highlight
any county-specific rules and filing deadlines. Our divorce forms were prepared
by M&T's experienced divorce attorneys and are accompanied by a How to File
Guide, the M&T Negotiation Guide, and the Georgia Divorce Guide book.
If you would like
some guidance in your do-it-yourself divorce, we offer 2 upgrades to the basic Divorce
Forms Package. You can request coaching & review by an experienced divorce
attorney and/or have M&T draft and file the forms for you.
Legal Services
Pro bono attorneys
provide legal services at a reduced charge or at no charge. While few private
attorneys offer pro bono services, Atlanta Legal Aid or Georgia Legal Services
may also be able to assist someone who is in need of an attorney.
Model M&T
In an attempt to provide
quality service at a lower overall price, M&T designed Model M&T to streamline
resolution-focused divorces. Model M&T offers 3 payment options: a one-time
flat fee; a flat fee option paid over time; or a monthly payment plan until the
case is resolved.
Payment Plans
If you choose to
proceed with traditional representation, M&T offers Affirm through Law Pay to
make quality legal representation more accessible to all of our clients. This
service allows clients to borrow the money they need to pay for their divorce
and pay the money back over time.
Whatever your
financial situation, M&T wants to work with you to create the divorce plan
which would work best for your case. Contact us today for a free telephone
conversation with an experienced divorce attorney.
Written by: Rebekah Ann
James