Divorce is an emotionally difficult process. It can prove costly for both parties. With forthcoming expenses such as alimony, child support, and relocation costs looming over you, the last thing you want to do is spend a great deal on the divorce process itself. Consider these ways to keep divorce costs down and ease some of the burdens of this life change.

Stay off the Line

As you work with your attorney during the divorce process, always ask yourself: "Could this call be an email?" Lawyers charge by the hour, and even though no one worries about racking up their phone bill anymore, you'll have to worry about racking up your legal bill. Keep face-to-face meetings short and remember that time is money.

Organize Your Finances Ahead of Time

Financial transparency isn't just important to keeping a divorce process as frictionless as possible—it also saves money. Most divorce concerns involve dollars and cents. Another financial concern involves racking up the billable hours with law offices. Streamline the process and cut down on those hours by obtaining and organizing all financial records pertaining to your divorce. Provide at least the last three years of bills, tax returns, and other important documents to your attorney. You'll save them time, which saves you money.

Explore Alternative Dispute Resolutions

Couples don't need to go through a lengthy court case to secure a divorce. While all divorces require a judge's approval, the rise of alternative dispute resolutions helps make divorce more efficient and less costly. One of the best ways to keep divorce costs down is to opt for one of these strategies. The availability of standardized documents makes do-it-yourself divorce possible if you can navigate the process with confidence. If possible, choose mediation over litigation, in which both parties forgo individual representation in favor of a neutral mediator who facilitates agreeable or mutually beneficial compromises. You'll both slash your legal costs as you navigate divorce. A collaborative divorce process requires both parties to retain an attorney, but by bypassing litigation and keeping court costs to a minimum, you'll still spend less than you would have had you truly gone to court.