how much does a divorce lawyer cost in new york

by Hyman Kunze 9 min read

On average, New York divorce lawyers charge between $305 and $380 per hour. Average total costs for divorce lawyers range from $13,000 to $16,000 but tend to be lower in cases with no contested issues and no trial.Feb 24, 2020

How much does divorce cost in New York State?

Feb 24, 2020 · This analysis showed that, on average, the total cost of a full-scope divorce attorney in New York ranges from $13,000 (based on minimum hourly rates) to $16,000 (based on maximum hourly rates). Of course, those are just averages. The contested issues in your divorce will be a big factor in determining your costs (more on that below).

How do you get a divorce in New York?

How much does a New York divorce lawyer cost? Although costs may vary depending on the lawyer, a New York divorce attorney averages $315-380 per hour. On average, a spouse can expect to pay between $13,000-16,000 for their attorney.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost?

The average divorce attorney in New York State bills around $350 an hour. Of course, you can expect to pay a bit more in the city, or in other areas with a high cost of living. Now, as for how many hours you’ll need your lawyer to work (if you decide to retain an attorney at all) depends heavily on the factors above. Court Fees

How much does a divorce cost by state?

Mar 03, 2022 · here is a list of court fees that may be required as your case proceeds in New York : If you can not afford the $ 370, the Court allows you to file a poor person application to waive the fees. Attorney Fees Attorneys require a retainer deposit anterior to working on your case.

image

Who pays attorney fees in divorce in New York?

Under New York law, a court can direct either spouse to pay attorney's fees, and expenses for expert fees to enable the other spouse to maintain and defend the divorce action.

How much does a simple divorce cost near New York NY?

The index fee for divorce in NY is $210. The minimum filing fee for uncontested divorce in NY is $335, which includes the index fee. For contested divorces, the attorney fees, court fees, and costs of mediation or litigation can add up to much more – even tens of thousands of dollars.Feb 16, 2018

How much does a lawyer charge for an uncontested divorce in NY?

However, you know it's a lot more complicated than that. An uncontested divorce will run you about $5500 on average, while litigation costs average a whopping $50,000!Jun 10, 2021

How long does a divorce take in NY?

Some uncontested divorces are resolved as quickly as six weeks, while others can take six months or more. Since New York does not have a waiting period, a divorce that both parties agree on takes roughly 3 months for the papers to be filed with the court.

Who pays for the divorce in NYC?

A common issue of contention in New York divorce proceedings is the division of responsibility for legal fees. In New York, the spouse with more income and financial resources, also known as the “monied” spouse, typically shoulders the majority of this burden.Jan 5, 2018

How can I get a quick divorce?

Here's how to get an uncontested, quick divorce; Communicate with your spouse throughout the process. Find your marriage certificate before starting divorce proceedings. Find valid grounds for divorce and agree with your spouse. Ask your spouse to promptly complete and return paperwork.

Can I get a divorce without my spouse's signature in New York?

​Yes – in New York State, you can get a divorce without your spouse's signature if your spouse fails to respond to the summons (“no signature required” divorce) or if you cannot locate your spouse (“divorce by publication”).Oct 4, 2017

Do you have to be separated for a year to get a divorce in NY?

You can seek a no-fault divorce in New York if you and your spouse have been separated for at least one year or if there's been an "irretrievable breakdown of the marriage" for at least six months. Couples can also seek a divorce after entering into a separation agreement and living apart for at least one year.

How can I get a quick divorce in NY?

You are eligible for an "Express 60-Day Divorce" if the following requirements are met:You or your spouse meet the NYS residency requirements.You know where your spouse is located.Your spouse is cooperating with the process.You and your spouse are in agreement regarding the division of any property, assets or debt.More items...

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in New York?

What Property Is Subject to Equitable Distribution? Under New York's divorce laws, courts only divide marital property, and spouses gets to keep their separate property. Marital property includes all property acquired by either or both spouses during the marriage, regardless of who bought it.

Can you get divorced without a lawyer in NY?

Do I need a lawyer to get divorced? Because divorce law can be complicated, you should meet with a lawyer — even if you think your divorce will be uncontested. If you and your spouse have resolved all financial and parenting issues, and you do not have a lawyer, you can use the free Uncontested Divorce Forms Packet.

How long after divorce can you remarry in NY?

There is no post-divorce remarriage waiting period in the state of New York. You will need to ensure your divorce is final, granted by the judge, and that a Final Decree of Divorce has been signed.Mar 5, 2021

What Can You Do To Reduce the Cost of Divorce in NY?

Everything is negotiable, and there are ways you can reduce every element in your divorce cost in NY.

How To Negotiate a Settlement Agreement

A settlement agreement is a legal document that regulates how your family should be divided after your divorce, including:

Where To Have Your Agreement Drawn Up

Once you have finalized your settlement agreement, you need to have it drawn up as a legal document.

DoNotPay Has You Covered in New York!

DoNotPay is committed to making divorce as painless and affordable as possible!

Our App Solves Your Legal Issues!

Do you really have to set aside astronomical amounts to pay lawyers for drafting legal documents or taking a person or business to small claims court?

Check Out Other Perks DoNotPay Offers!

DoNotPay provides a wide selection of services, from creating virtual credit cards and burner phone numbers to getting refunds from companies and canceling subscriptions.

How much does a divorce attorney cost in New York?

Divorce attorney retainers in New York generally start around $7,500 – $10,000, and New York divorce attorney charge $400-$600 or more per hour. Those numbers add up quickly, resulting and an extremely expensive process. In cases with contentious parties and/or complex child custody and child support issues, the price can be significantly more. If an agreement cannot be reached without court intervention, ligation costs can easily reach $100,000 or more.

Why is divorce so expensive?

One of the reasons traditional divorce is so expensive is because divorcing couples frequently have a “scorched earth” policy and refuse to compromise with each other about even the most trivial things. They have the idea that they can “ win at their divorce ” if they fight hard enough or hire the most aggressive lawyer. This attitude is the #1 driver of the excessive cost of divorce.

Uncontested Divorce

Rather than figuring out how much a divorce is in NY, it’s better to know how to lower your costs of divorce. Generally, a divorce that’s uncontested is significantly cheaper than a contested divorce.

Contested Divorce

Contested divorce occurs when parties do not agree on all issues related to the divorce. Because contested divorce requires more legal representation, lawyers rarely charge a flat fee in these proceedings. Contested divorces usually involve high net worth individuals with more than $1 million in liquid assets.

How to minimize the cost of divorce?

The best way to minimize the costs of the divorce litigation is to meet with your attorney at the very beginning and lay out a plan as to how the case should be handled. In the event the other side does not cooperate with regard to resolving the matter amicably, litigation will ensue, motion practice may become necessary, and the cost of the divorce will increase.

What is a forensic accountant in a divorce?

If there is a custody battle, there may be a forensic evaluator appointed to interview the parties and their children and try to report to the court with regard to the issues involving custody and parenting time. If there is a professional practice, and/or a business maintained by one of the parties to the divorce, a forensic accountant may be appointed by the court or hired by the parties to evaluate how much the professional practice or business is worth.

What happens if custody is not amicably worked out?

In cases where custody cannot be amicably worked out, the court will usually appoint an attorney to represent the children. In most Supreme Court divorce cases, the parties will bear the cost of this additional, third attorney on the case.

image