 TITLE: How to Pay for a Divorce CONTENT: Look Into Peer-to-Peer Lending\n------------------------------\nPeer-to-peer (P2P) lending is an alternative to traditional banks and credit unions. It works by pairing investors willing to issue a loan with potential borrowers who are likely to agree to their terms. The main advantage of loans through a P2P lender is they may offer lower interest than are offered by traditional loans. However, that's not their only benefit.\nA P2P loan is relatively hassle-free. The application process is simple, and everything is handled online. It starts with a preapproval screening that generates loan offers using a soft inquiry to check your credit. Unlike hard inquiries, soft inquiries don't hurt your credit score. That gives you an opportunity to shop around, compare loan terms and choose the best offer.\nOnce you review your options and accept one of the offers, the lender normally performs a hard credit inquiry and may ask you for additional information, which you'll submit online. It can take a few days to get the lender's decision. Once you're approved, you'll set up a payment process.\nWhile P2P lenders may have advantages over traditional credit sources, they also generally have stricter credit and income requirements. If you're not sure you can meet them, it might be a good idea to look into alternative options. END