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There is no exact formula to determine how much a divorce will cost. It depends on the unique factors of each situation, the complexity of the couple’s assets, whether there are children involved, and if the parties are approaching the divorce amicably.
A skilled lawyer can provide you with a rough estimate of anticipated costs after an initial consultation. There are some costs that are likely to arise in any divorce case:
While some divorces are straightforward, many have complicating factors that increase the costs. Unexpected costs can arise from the following:
Any factor that will require more of your attorney’s time will increase the costs of your divorce.
Some of the biggest drivers of costs during divorce are hearings and complying with court processes like disclosures and discovery. Pursuing mediation significantly reduces each of these costs. In addition to the lower cost, mediation offers several other benefits:
It’s important to find a divorce lawyer who will advocate on your behalf while also staying true to your goals in the divorce. Look for a lawyer whose practice is focused on divorce and who has a history of success in your area. It is important to choose a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the local court system.
You should also choose a lawyer who is open to pursuing resolution through mediation. A lawyer with your best interests in mind will present you with all possible options for resolution, which includes mediation.
Our practice is entirely dedicated to helping couples move forward with confidence when dealing with divorce. You’re not alone.
Want to know how to prepare for divorce? Use our free resources to guide you. Our mission is to get you to where you want to be — without years of legal fees, court battles and emotional damage.
You are responsible for the costs you accrue in pursuing the divorce. This means that if you file for divorce, you will pay the filing fees. If you hire an attorney, you will be responsible for the fees for your attorney. If your spouse’s goal is to make the divorce complicated, this does not mean that they are responsible for any of your attorney’s fees. There are a few situations where a Court can order a portion of your legal fees to be paid by the other spouse, but this is typically after you have incurred the expense.
If you have issues to resolve and put in writing about children, support, assets, or debts, you likely can file for an absolute divorce and do not need any Court Orders or a Separation Agreement. For an absolute divorce only, you can expect the cost to be around $1,500. A separation and divorce with other issues can easily cost between $5,000 to over $100,000 depending on the complexity. If you and your spouse both agree to the divorce and generally agree to the division of assets, the costs can be on the lower end of that range. If, however, your divorce involves any complicating factors, such as an uncooperative spouse, children, or complicated assets, the costs can be on the higher end of the spectrum.
If you and your spouse choose to pursue mediation to prepare your settlement agreement, the costs are generally much lower than proceeding to resolve the matter in Court.
Divorce does not have to ruin you financially. When you work with a law firm that understands your financial needs and is committed to addressing them, you should receive value beyond the dollars you pay in legal fees by having fewer headaches, less stress, and less time commitment, as well as a resolution that makes sense for your unique situation. Work with your lawyer to take a practical approach to your divorce. For example, your lawyer should caution you against spending $10,000 in fees to dispute an asset worth $5,000.
We are here to help you succeed and protect what you value most.