how much does a divorce lawyer cost in north carolina

Average total costs for North Carolina divorce lawyers are $9,700 to $11,700 but are typically significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. If you’re contemplating divorce in North Carolina, or are already in the midst of the process, one of your many concerns will be how much it’s going to cost you.

Full Answer

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in North Carolina?

Jul 22, 2020 · Average total costs for North Carolina divorce lawyers are $9,700 to $11,700 but are typically significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. If you’re contemplating divorce in North Carolina, or are already in the midst of the process, one of your many concerns will be how much it’s going to cost you.

How long does it take to get a divorce in NC?

Dec 17, 2021 · In North Carolina, it will cost the person filing for a divorce, or the plaintiff, $225 to file the divorce documents. Attorney Fees In most cases, you’ll need a lawyer to help you complete your paperwork, negotiate with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse, or even take the case to trial if necessary. Attorney fees also cover costs associated with:

How to reduce the cost of a divorce?

Jul 15, 2020 · How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in North Carolina? Lawyers are generally paid by the hour at $100 to $300 per hour. It typically takes a handful of hours to determine each item, such as: Marital property division (including who gets the house) How to divide debts; How much child support will be; Who gets custody

How much does it cost to file bankruptcy in NC?

Apr 21, 2021 · Pay the filing fee, which is currently $225 in North Carolina (additionally, if you want to resume your maiden name or pre-marriage surname, you will have to pay an extra $10 fee). Serve the divorce papers to your spouse. Typically, divorce papers are delivered to the Respondent via certified mail or by a sheriff.

How much do divorce lawyers cost in NC?

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in North Carolina? Lawyers are generally paid by the hour at $100 to $300 per hour.Jul 15, 2020

How much is a simple divorce in NC?

$225.00The fee for filing a case for divorce is currently $225.00. If you are including a claim for Resumption of Maiden Name, there may be an additional $10.00 fee. These fees are subject to change. If you cannot afford the filing fee, also take the Petition to Proceed as an Indigent and ask to speak with a Clerk.

Does my husband have to pay for my divorce lawyer NC?

North Carolina law allows for the award of attorney's fees in spousal support cases because it recognizes dependent spouses need to be able to hire an attorney. More than likely, the supporting spouse has the ability to hire an attorney.Jun 26, 2018

How can I get a free divorce in NC?

If you cannot afford the fees for filing your Complaint for Divorce, you can ask the Court to let you file for free. In order to make that request, you must file a “Petition to Proceed as an Indigent.” If approved, you will not have to pay the filing fee to the Clerk or service of process fee to the sheriff.Sep 1, 2019

Can you get a quick divorce in NC?

Couples who wish to pursue an uncontested (simple) divorce can do so by filing a "no-fault" divorce. In a no-fault divorce, the law doesn't require either spouse to prove that the other person caused the breakdown of the marriage.

How do I get a divorce in NC without waiting a year?

Most states do not require any type of waiting period or separation prior to filing or getting a divorce. North Carolina, however, is not in the majority. Here, the law requires you and your spouse to be separated for one year before you can get a divorce. To fulfill this obligation, you must live separately and apart.Jul 12, 2019

Can a woman get alimony if she filed for divorce?

Alimony and maintenance: As per the law, every married woman is eligible to get maintenance from the husband after divorce. It depends on the husband's salary. In general, the wife gets one-third of his salary; but it can change. The alimony is the full and final settlement; it is a lump sum amount.Nov 19, 2020

Who pays costs in a divorce?

Who pays the costs in court proceedings? Despite prevailing opinion, it really does matter who initiates divorce proceedings. If you are the one who is being divorced (the “respondent”), the Court might order you to pay the legal fees of both sides.

How does alimony work in NC?

Alimony in North Carolina is payment for the support and maintenance of a spouse, either by lump sum or on a continuing basis. Alimony is paid by the “supporting spouse” to the “dependent spouse.” The general rule is that a spouse is dependent when he or she makes less money than the other spouse.

Can you date while separated in NC?

1) You Can Date While Separated After you have legally separated you are free to date as if you are not married. Your spouse does not have a say in whether or who you date. Third party claims such as alienation of affection and criminal conversation cannot be filed solely due to post-separation acts.Oct 29, 2018

How do you prove separation in NC?

How to Prove You Are Separated in North CarolinaA rental agreement, lease or mortgage on separate residences in each spouse's name. ... Utility bills (for electricity, water, sewer and trash) for each separate residence. ... Cable, satellite TV and internet account statements. ... Bank statements.More items...

What voids a separation agreement in NC?

Coercion, fraud, undue influence or lack of knowledge will void the terms of a separation agreement. A separation agreement is not proof of the parties' separation. It is not required for a divorce in North Carolina, and it doesn't make a divorce in North Carolina easier or more difficult to obtain.

Average Cost of Divorces in North Carolina

To determine the cost, first, we need to clarify that there are two types of divorces.

What Factors Influence The Cost of Getting a Divorce?

Divorce costs can be broken down into three categories: filing fees, attorney fees, and paperwork fees.

Factors that Influence the Cost of Divorce

The number and nature of disputes that arise during your divorce influence the cost. More disputes, or more complex disputes, will drive up the cost because your attorney will have to spend more time trying to resolve them.

Additional Costs of Divorce

In addition to the direct legal fees and associated expenses, there are a few “hidden” costs of divorce as well. These include:

In Closing

Though it’s all but impossible to predict how much a specific divorce will cost, there are many things you can do to keep the costs down. Having an experienced attorney can help you determine what’s most important to you—what you’re willing to fight for and what you’d be willing to let go of.

The Cost of Traditional Divorce in North Carolina

If you cannot agree on divorce terms with your spouse, then you may need to follow the traditional divorce route, which can be around $13,000 from start to finish. This involves, among other things:

How Much Are Divorce Filing Fees in North Carolina?

Filing fees for North Carolina county courts are reasonable. The first form you need to file is called a complaint, which explains why you want a divorce, and any facts in the case. You can expect to pay around $225 for the documents and filing fees.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in North Carolina?

Lawyers are generally paid by the hour at $100 to $300 per hour. It typically takes a handful of hours to determine each item, such as:

Can I File for Divorce in North Carolina Without a Divorce Lawyer?

Yes, residents have the option to file for divorce "pro se," which means you represent yourself. This will save you money if you do not make any mistakes, use correct information, and understand local courts' rules. It is also easier if you do not have complex assets to divide and you don't want spousal support.

When Should I Get a Divorce Lawyer?

It can be helpful to have a lawyer if you cannot agree on property division, debts, or other significant issues. If your spouse does not want to split things fairly, a family law attorney will step in to fight for your side and work to get you a fair share.

How Long Will a Divorce Take in North Carolina?

While the court's approval of your divorce may not take much time, the entire divorce process is quite long. For example, an absolute divorce form requires couples to separate for one year before they file.

Divorce Can Look Complex, but You Don't Have to Do It Alone

The forms, documents, civil action cover sheet, petitions, summons, affidavits, divorce packet, and filing process can feel like too much to handle. Once you add in discussing complex decisions with your ex, and trying to plan ahead for the unknown future, the whole process can be overwhelming.

How Much Will it Cost to File for North Carolina Divorce?

While any spouse can file a petition for divorce to initiate the dissolution of marriage, keep in mind that the petitioner has to pay the filing fees. Before filing for North Carolina divorce, make sure that you meet the requirements to get a divorce:

How Much Will a Divorce Cost in North Carolina?

Now that you have become familiar with the divorce process and filing fees in North Carolina, you probably want to know the average cost of divorce in the state.