Divorce Filing Fees and Typical Attorney Fees by State
State | Average Filing Fees | Other Divorce Costs and Attorney Fees |
Iowa | $ 185 | Average fees: $9,000+ |
Kansas | $ 400 | Average fees: $8,000+ |
Kentucky | $ 148 (without an attorney), $ 153 (with ... | Average fees: $8,000+ |
Louisiana | $ 150 to $250 | Average fees: $10,000 |
State | Average Filing Fees | Other Divorce Costs and Attorney Fees |
---|---|---|
Kansas | $400 | Average fees: $8,000+ |
Kentucky | $148 (without an attorney), $153 (with an attorney) | Average fees: $8,000+ |
Louisiana | $150 to $250 | Average fees: $10,000 |
Maine | $120 | Average fees: $8,000+ |
How Much Does a Divorce Cost By State? While many factors can change the overall cost, it is typical for each spouse to spend $10,000 or more to complete their divorce. Keep in mind it is not just divorce attorney fees.
Average Fees for a Divorce Lawyer It is typical for new lawyers to charge $100+/hour and experienced attorneys to charge $300+/hour. You can expect to see outlier pricing that ranges from $30 to $500/hour as well. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
Survive Divorce is reader-supported. Some links may be from our sponsors. Here’s how we make money. This is a complete guide to divorce in Kansas. In this guide, you’ll get educated on exactly how divorce works in Kansas.
**Fees are always changing per state and county. Contacting your county clerk's office is the best way to find accurate fees. While the costs seem high, an important takeaway is that divorce is still attainable. Do not refuse to get a divorce just because you cannot afford it. You may be able to reduce costs by:
approximately $200The filing fee to initiate a divorce proceeding in Kansas is approximately $200. There is an additional fee for serving papers on the other spouse if they choose not to cooperate. A family law attorney will often charge anywhere from $300 to $400 an hour depending on the attorney.
On average, couples pay $5,000 - $10,000 in divorce costs for amicable divorces.
How Long Does Divorce Take in Kansas? Once you file for divorce, you'll need to wait at least sixty (60) days before a judge will grant your divorce. This 60-day waiting period applies even if you and your spouse have reached an agreement on all terms of your divorce.
Facts About Filing for Divorce in Kansas: If you are filing for a divorce without the assistance of a lawyer, you are responsible for completing all the necessary forms and the Clerk of the District Court cannot help you prepare any legal documents or provide any legal advice.
On average, it takes 12 months to complete a divorce, from filing the divorce petition to finalizing the judgment. If the case goes to trial, the average time is about 18 months. The average cost of divorce in 2019 was $12,900, which includes $11,300 in attorney's fees and about $1,600 in other expenses.
There are two types of divorces, contested and uncontested divorce. The uncontested divorce is the best and most cost effective for all parties concerned. It can be finalised within 4 weeks. If a divorce is contested it may take between 2 - 3 years, but most contested divorces do settle long before they go on trial.
As noted above, the majority of the property you buy or receive while married becomes marital property. In the case of a divorce, marital property is considered jointly owned by both spouses, and will get jointly divided, normally as close as possible to an even split.
To begin your Kansas uncontested divorce, you'll need to file a:Civil Information Sheet.Summons.Domestic Relations Affidavit, and.Petition for Divorce (with children) or Petition for Divorce (without children).
In Kansas one spouse pays alimony, also known as maintenance, to the other when the recipient lacks sufficient income or sufficient assets to be self-supporting. According to Kansas law, the court may award either party alimony in an amount determined to be fair, just and equitable.
Most state courts will automatically enter a divorce decree if the parties have been legally separated for a period of time, often one to two years, and meet the basic eligibility requirements.
Typically, at the end of your divorce, the Court will consider both debts and assets and divide everything 50/50. - Don't be greedy and take more than your 50% of the assets when you leave.
Under the Johnson County formula, the maintenance amount is equal to 25% of the first $300,000 difference in the spouses' gross incomes plus 15% of the excess difference (more than $300,000 difference) in the spouses' gross incomes.
Filing fees vary by county in Kansas but run between $100 to $200. Pay this fee to the clerk of the court at the time of filing. To find out the exact amount, contact the court in the county where you are going to file. You will also need to pay a separate fee to have the documents officially served on your spouse.
However, in a contested divorce, when attorneys need to get involved, expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $400 per hour, depending on the complexity of your case. Many attorneys may also ask for a retainer upfront before starting work on your behalf. Another option is to use a mediator or an arbitrator.
The Kansas Supreme Court has approved these forms. There are two separate packets — one for filing an uncontested divorce without children, and another packet when the divorce includes minor children. To view the packets, go here. For a contested divorce, your best bet is to retain an attorney to assist you.
A Kansas divorce certificate only has basic information on it, such as the names of both spouses and the date and place of a divorce. It provides proof that a couple is no longer married. It can be used as documentation to complete name changes or to prove a person is single so that they can get married again.
An annulment might be another alternative to divorce in Kansas. An annulment means that there was no valid marriage because specific legal requirements were not met. Annulments are allowed in Kansas and governed by laws in K.S.A. 60-1602. Annulments are granted only in certain circumstances.
In Kansas, when a divorce is finalized, the court will issue a Decree of Divorce. This legal document is a detailed summary of the rights and responsibilities of each party. It covers a division of assets, child custody, visitation, alimony, child support, and other similar issues.
Fault-based grounds for divorce in Kansas are not common because they are more challenging to prove, and the cited reasons are limited. The only fault-based grounds that Kansas allows are: Failure to perform a “material” (relevant) marital duty.
Only Kansas residents can file for divorce in the state. Either spouse must have lived in Kansas for at least 60 days before filing for divorce. See Kan. Stat. § 23-2703 (2020). The time it'll take to complete you divorce really depends on your family's unique circumstances and your working relationship with your spouse.
A divorce petition will state the "grounds" or reason for the divorce and what kind of property or child custody settlement the filing spouse (also called the "petitioner) wants. See Kan. Stat. § 23-2704 (2020).
Once you file for divorce, you'll need to wait at least sixty (60) days before a judge will grant your divorce. This 60-day waiting period applies even if you and your spouse have reached an agreement on all terms of your divorce. In limited, emergency circumstances, a judge may waive the waiting period. The time it'll take to complete you divorce ...
If you can't pay the divorce filing fee, you can ask the judge to waive fees in your case. You'll need to file an affidavit (written declaration) showing that your income is too low to allow you to pay the fee. If a judge grants your fee waiver request, you won't be responsible for fees in your divorce.
The petitioner must serve the other spouse (called the "respondent") with a copy of the divorce petition and summons. The respondent can file an answer denying the petitioner's claims. Your divorce case will continue until you and your spouse reach a settlement or a judge decides your case at trial.
In your initial divorce paperwork, you'll need to state a ground or reason that you're seeking a divorce. Kansas divorce laws allow both "fault" and "no-fault" grounds. See Kan. Stat. § 23-2701 (2020).
For example, a childless couple with no assets can obtain a divorce relatively inexpensively and may not need to hire an attorney. However, a couple with several homes, a business to divide, and child custody at issue may have a lengthy and costly divorce trial.
Getting free advice at a family law clinic (available at some family law courts) Speaking with a legal aid organization to see if you qualify for free services. Many attorneys offer free consultations, so it is doesn't hurt to call one or more experienced divorce lawyers in your area to discuss your divorce.
In every state, a variety of factors will change the hours required to negotiate and find a divorce agreement such as: 1 Child custody 2 Amount of property 3 Tax advice 4 Alimony (spousal support)
Education classes on the divorce process or co-parenting. Mediation (this can replace attorney fees or be in addition to attorney fees) Psychiatric evaluations for adults or children. Refinancing a mortgage.
In every state, a variety of factors will change the hours required to negotiate and find a divorce agreement such as: Child custody. Amount of property. Tax advice. Alimony (spousal support) Consider how complex your divorce is when estimating how much it might cost.
Getting a Divorce When You Don't Have The Money. While the costs seem high, an important takeaway is that divorce is still attainable. Do not refuse to get a divorce just because you cannot afford it. You may be able to reduce costs by: Asking your attorney for an affordable payment plan.
Yes , most law firms or independent attorneys understand that an average divorce costs a large sum of money, and may need a payment plan. There are no state laws on offering payment plans, so this is solely up the firm you want to hire. Ask them in your first meeting if they offer payment plans.
An uncontested divorce is possible if you can negotiate together and agree on big-ticket items such as who keeps the house. If you want the court to help you determine how things are split (in a contested divorce), you will rack up additional attorney's fees.