Divorce is always a miserable prospect, and if money is already tight, it can be downright terrifying. Fortunately, there is a way out of a failing marriage that won’t leave you in the poor house. Many courts can supply an alternative to the typical divorce proceedings with a far less expensive method of filing for a simple divorce, so long as there is no contest.

Often known as Joint Simplified Dissolution of Marriage, there are several stringent stipulations that prospective clients must meet. First of all, both spouses must be employed, or otherwise independent of one another. If not, the dependent spouse will be required to forgo any request for financial support like alimony. Both spouses are generally required to be residents of the state in which they are filing for divorce.

Married couples must prove that they have been separated for a period of at least two years because of irreconcilable differences, and have not during that period attempted reconciliation or had sexual contact. Couples applying for joint simplified dissolution of marriage must not have had children or adopted children together during their marriage, nor may the wife be pregnant with the husband’s child at the time of filing. The maximum length of a marriage eligible for low-cost divorce is five years, and the couple cannot have real estate, a business, or other significant investments together.

In fact the couple’s joint properties may not exceed a value of $5,000, and their combined income may not exceed $25,000. Both parties must release all financial records to the court, including pay stubs, tax returns, and other assets. Both spouses must also sign paperwork indicating that all assets and all debts will be split evenly.

If you and your spouse can no longer sustain you marriage, but fear you may not be able to afford divorce, there is also the possibility that you can apply for legal assistance free of charge. There are several circumstances in which couples may be eligible for free representation. A couple whose joint income is at or below the national poverty level will be able to go to a state of local agency for free representation. Elderly and disabled individuals, as well as military service members and veterans are also encouraged to take advantage of this service. In cases of domestic violence, there are large support communities to assist with the dissolution of marriage and beyond.

The representation you are able to find free of charge will either be government funded legal aid or a pro bono lawyer who specializes in divorce. The wait for legal aid can be quite long; however, if there are children involved, your case may be given priority. Attorneys who work in the field of free legal aid are generally well experienced in divorce cases, particularly where custody battles and domestic abuse are concerned. Finding a pro bono lawyer can take some effort, but know that all lawyers are required by the American Bar Association to do fifty hours of pro bono work annually, so be patient, and you will find someone who can help.

www.EphraimLaw.com delivers a fast divorce in Virginia. Click this link for Fairfax divorce information.

http://ephraimlaw.com/ delivers a fast divorce in Virginia. Click this http://ephraimlaw.com/fairfax-divorce-lawyer.php for Fairfax divorce information.

Author Bio: www.EphraimLaw.com delivers a fast divorce in Virginia. Click this link for Fairfax divorce information.

Category: Marriage
Keywords: Family, Legal, Advise