how much does a divorce lawyer cost michigan

Average total costs for Michigan divorce lawyers are $9,500 to $11,300 but typically are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. Divorce is almost never a pleasant experience. Along with the various emotional, financial, and legal consequences of ending a marriage, there’s also the expense of the divorce process itself.

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How long does an uncontested divorce take in Michigan?

Aug 18, 2020 · Average total costs for Michigan divorce lawyers are $9,500 to $11,300 but typically are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. Divorce is almost never a pleasant experience. Along with the various emotional, financial, and legal consequences of ending a marriage, there’s also the expense of the divorce process itself.

What is the average cost of a divorce in Michigan?

May 09, 2021 · The average cost for a contested divorce in Michigan is over $2,000.00. The costs can vary depending on the length and complexity of a divorce case, as well as what type of attorney you choose to represent you. Can you get a divorce in Michigan without a lawyer?

How difficult is it to get a divorce in Michigan?

Most divorce attorneys will charge between $100 and $500 per hour. Often, lawyers will ask for a retainer, otherwise known as an up-front fee. The retainer is an advance payment for their hourly rates, and they can range from as little as $1,000 to as high as $10,000. The attorney will deduct from that account every time they work on your case.

How to get a quick divorce in Michigan?

Experienced attorneys charge an hourly rate for handling family law matters with a retainer fee paid in advance. Attorney fees are based on several factors, including: experience of the attorney; the nature of services provided; complexity of the issues involved; amount of time required; in a divorce, the size of the marital estate.

What is the average retainer fee for a divorce lawyer in Michigan?

What does the average divorce cost in Michigan?

Who pays attorney fees in divorce Michigan?

Do I need a lawyer for divorce in Michigan?

How long does divorce take in Michigan?

Can you date while going through a divorce in Michigan?

Does Michigan have alimony?

Who pays for a divorce in Michigan?

How can I save money in a divorce?

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Michigan?

Can I serve my spouse divorce papers in Michigan?

How long after divorce can you remarry in Michigan?

Why are uncontested divorces so expensive?

For example, uncontested divorces typically cost less than contested ones because they don’t require as much time or legal work on behalf of your divorce attorney. Attorney fees are the largest expense in a divorce filing.

How long do you have to live in Michigan to file a divorce case?

The Petitioner must be a resident of the State of Michigan and have resided within the State for at least six (06) months immediately preceding filing; OR, if you do not live in Michigan, but your spouse does, you can file your case here.

Why is an uncontested divorce preferable in Michigan?

For many couples, an uncontested Michigan divorce is preferable because they can avoid all of the expensive legal fees with litigated divorces.

How much does it cost to file a divorce in Michigan?

The filing fee for a Michigan divorce petition is $175.00 if you do not have minor children. The filing fee for a divorce with minor children is $255.00. A divorce attorney or party filing the complaint will pay the fee at the time of filing.

How long do you have to live in the county you filed a divorce complaint in?

Another requirement is that you reside in the county you are filing the complaint for ten days. Either you or your spouse must reside in the county you are filing the divorce case.

What is the less expensive option for divorce lawyers?

A less expensive option for attorneys is to have a set retainer fee or flat fee which they collect at the beginning of your representation. You will want to talk to a divorce lawyer to understand how they bill for a divorce case.

What is marital property?

Marital property can include real estate, personal property, and retirement accounts. Discovery related to property division involves the exchange of financial documents. Some of this can be sensitive or confidential information.

What is Bailey Smith and Bailey?

At Bailey Smith & Bailey, our divorce attorneys use their extensive experience and masterful skill to successfully argue for the rights of men. Whether you're just contemplating divorce, or you're actively seeking representation, our attorney can give you valuable and honest advice that will help you begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Contact us today to schedule a consultation .

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What is the first step to figuring out what the best custody arrangement is for the children?

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What is joint custody?

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Is divorce a reality?

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Is it hard to divorce your child?

A divorce or separation can be hard not only for you but can be especially hard on your children. It is important that during and after a divorce or separation your child feels as safe and comfortable as possible to help them emotionally transition...

What are attorney fees based on?

Attorney fees are based on several factors, including: experience of the attorney; the nature of services provided; complexity of the issues involved; amount of time required; in a divorce, the size of the marital estate. At the outset of a case, it is impossible for the attorney to know the total cost of the proceeding as it is unknown how ...

Can attorney fees be awarded to the requesting party?

In the situation where one party is in a financially inferior position to the other due to employment differences, lack of income and/or lack of access to funds, the court rules provide that attorney fees and expenses can be awarded to the requesting party upon a factual showing that the party “is unable to bear the expense of the action, and that the other party is able to pay…”

Why are custody battles so expensive?

The most expensive divorces are the ones where the parties cannot come to an agreement on who should get custody or the conditions upon which parenting time are based because trials are required to sort these issues out . That’s not to say that trials aren’t required when it comes to dividing property, or any other issue in divorce cases, but trials involving children take more time because parties are usually not as willing to compromise and decisions on who should get custody and why are more complex than placing a value on a piece of property.

Is it important to find an attorney for divorce?

Therefore, it is important to find an attorney you are comfortable with to represent you in these matters. Obviously, cost is an important factor when selecting an attorney. So, what does a “good attorney” cost? Unfortunately I have to give the same answer I do to many other questions often posed to lawyers: It depends.

How much does divorce cost in Michigan?

How Much Does A Divorce Cost In Michigan. In most counties in Michigan, the filing fee for a petition requesting a divorce is $150. An extra $80 fee will probably be charged if any children are involved. The simplest, least expensive kinds of divorces are those in which the other spouse waives their right to contest the separation ...

How much does a divorce lawyer charge?

Keep in mind that attorneys of this kind can generally be expected to charge at least $150 per hour in return for their services. These fees can add up if your case drags on. During your first meeting with any divorce lawyer, obtain a detailed estimate of the number of hours of work your case will take and what you can expect to pay for these services.

What is the least expensive divorce?

The simplest, least expensive kinds of divorces are those in which the other spouse waives their right to contest the separation and both parties can submit a written agreement regarding issues such as: • Discharging debts . • Shared health insurance. • Child custody arrangements. • Visitation rights.

What is the discretion of the court in determining alimony?

The court has a great deal of discretion in deciding how much alimony, if any, to award to the petitioning spouse. The judge will take into account any requested payments which could be injurious to the person paying, the resources of both spouses and whether any children are involved.

What happens when there is no agreement on child support in Michigan?

When no agreement can be reached about child support payments, a judge will issue a ruling based on state guidelines. One or both parents may argue that the fee being charged is too heavy to sustain or otherwise unreasonable. All payments must be processed by the Michigan Friend of the Court Bureau. The court has a great deal of discretion in ...

Can a lawyer represent you in court?

This procedure is generally less expensive than a divorce. If no arrangement can be agreed upon, it may still be possible to avoid the expense of hiring a lawyer to represent you in court.

Can a lawyer add expenses to divorce?

In this case, a lawyer’s expenses will not add to the cost, nor will the expense of filing an official response to the divorce petition. In some cases, a couple may wish to separate without technically divorcing on religious grounds or to continue sharing health insurance.

What is an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce means that you and your spouse agree on all the issues of a divorce. This includes potentially contentious things like child custody and visitation, child support, alimony, a division of assets and debts, tax issues, and any other issue involving your marriage.

How long does it take to get divorce in Michigan?

At a minimum, it will take at least three months for an uncontested divorce in Michigan. This assumes one spouse files paperwork and has paperwork served, which starts the 20-day response period, and there are no children in the marriage, triggering a two-month waiting period.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Oakland County?

Exact costs may vary by county. For example, to file for a divorce in Oakland County or Wayne County, the fee for a divorce with no minor children is $175. With minor children, the fee is $255. Check with the court where you’re going to file if you want an exact cost.

What to do if you are not in default?

If you are not in default, you can file a motion asking the judge to waive part of the waiting period. You’ll need to file a Notice of Hearing and Motion and an Order. This waiting period begins when your spouse files the divorce, even if you and your spouse were separated before that time.

How long do you have to live in Michigan to file for divorce?

Before you can file for divorce in Michigan, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least 180 days. Also, one spouse must have lived in the county where the divorce papers are filed for at least ten days. In rare circumstances, you may be able to have the 10-day county residence requirement waived when you meet specific requirements.

How long do you have to wait to get divorced if you don't have children?

If you do have children together, there is a six-month waiting period. A judge can waive the six-month waiting period in some cases if hardship is involved.

What is the fault in a divorce?

Fault can play a role in a court determining some elements of a divorce, such as child custody, a division of assets, and alimony. However, in an uncontested divorce, you work these elements out ahead of time, so they should not be a problem going forward.

Why is divorce so expensive?

Divorces that go to trial are significantly more expensive due to the added legal fees involved. A dispute over alimony, or spousal support, also adds substantially to the price tag -- even more than child-related disputes.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost?

An uncontested divorce or one with no major contested issues costs, on average, $4,100.

What factors contribute to the cost of divorce?

There are many factors that contribute to the overall cost, including whether you're looking at a contested or uncontested divorce, whether you hire a divorce mediator, the law firm you choose if you need an attorney, and others.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost?

According to Martindale-Nolo research, the average hourly rate for a divorce lawyer was $270 and the average total cost for legal fees per spouse was $11,300 (though the median was $7,000). However, not all attorneys charge the same hourly rate. In fact, the research found the following:

How much wealth does divorce cause?

And some older studies have shown that divorce causes an average 77% drop in wealth.

What to do if you have questions about divorce cost?

Editor's note: If you have specific or technical questions about divorce cost, consider seeking legal advice.

What to do if your spouse is hiding assets?

Forensic accountants. If you believe your spouse is hiding assets, a forensic accountant could help you find them . However, forensic accountants may require several thousand dollars as a deposit and total costs could be higher, depending on the complexity of your situation.