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Costly divorce? Get by with a little help from your friends

by | Jun 21, 2016 | Divorce, Firm News |

Everyone needs help at some point in his or her life, especially at times of great change. Divorce is just one of those occasions when California residents may turn to family and friends for support. Many of those a person relies on may be able and willing to lend a sympathetic ear or even offer the benefit of their own experiences; however, if one is struggling financially to meet legal and other costs, those around them are unlikely to be in a position to offer significant assistance. The little bit of money that one person may be able to spare will usually be like a drop in the ocean of ever increasing fees.

One crowdfunding site, Plumfund, has now added divorce to its list of life events that may be funded. Crowdfunding has been around for longer than one may think; however, it is only in the past few years that it has really become more commonplace, and it can be used to fund almost anything. As the term suggests, it is a contributory system, where any number of people can donate however much they are able to afford, even if that is only a few dollars.

Donations are not restricted only to family and friends, and they may also be made anonymously. The person setting up the crowdfunding page will usually have a target amount in mind, which also appears on the site and allows everyone to see how their contribution counts. Whether the goal is a three-figure sum to finalize a divorce or considerably more to fight a contentious custody battle, crowdfunding might be an option to consider.

Some California residents may feel that it is like asking for charity. It may not appeal to – or be right for – everyone; however, for some, it could be the difference between the freedom that can come with divorce or being trapped in an unhappy or even abusive marriage. Money can be a difficult subject to discuss, but giving the people who want to help a chance to do so may help one to concentrate less on finances and focus instead on moving forward into a better future.

Source: pressdemocrat.com, “Sebastopol-based website lets you register for divorce donations“, Meg McConahey, June 10, 2016

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