how much does a good divorce lawyer cost

If you’re in that unfortunate place where you can see the writing on the wall, the cost of a good divorce attorney—one who will provide sound representation—is likely to cost you about $250 or more per hour.

Full Answer

What is the average price for a divorce lawyer?

The average cost for a divorce lawyer is $250 an hour and you will spend around $15,000 total. Hiring a divorce lawyer for representation, you will likely spend between $100 and $650 per hour. The price of a divorce lawyer can vary greatly by region (and even by zip code). View our local divorce lawyers or get free estimates from lawyers near you.

What questions should you ask a divorce attorney?

At an hourly rate, how much the attorney will cost depends on how much time they have to spend on your case. You may see that the average cost of a divorce is about $15,000. That’s not just for the divorce lawyer. That’s the total cost of the divorce, including real estate appraisals, attorneys, child custody evaluators, and more.

What to look for in a good divorce lawyer?

Most divorce attorneys will charge a flat fee or an hourly rate, depending on the case. A flat fee can cost you between $900 and $6,000, again depending on the …

How much does it cost to get a divorce attorney?

Our survey showed an average rate of $270 an hour for divorce lawyers across the United States, but individual rates varied a lot. Although nearly seven in ten people (69%) paid between $200 and $300 an hour, about one in ten (11%) paid $100 per hour, and two in ten (20%) paid $400 or more.

How much does a divorce cost if both parties agree?

If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500. Of course, there are filing fees in all states, which increase the cost.

How much should I pay for divorce?

The average cost of divorce: $12,900Divorce circumstancesAverage (mean) costMedian costWith no major contested issues$4,100Without alimony-related disputes$7,800$4,250Without child-related disputes$10,100$6,000With disputes settled out of court$10,6004 more rows•Nov 16, 2020

Who pays for the divorce?

the petitionerThe simple fact is that the petitioner always pays the divorce fees. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee.

How much money does wife get in divorce?

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. Maintenance can be interim maintenance, which is the amount given to the wife during the course of the case.Nov 19, 2020

Typical Hourly Rate For Divorce Attorneys

Although most people would prefer to have an attorney by their side when going through a divorce, many also worry about how much this will cost. Ev...

The Average Total Cost of Divorce

When all is said and done, what did the average person pay, in total, to get divorced? This figure includes total attorney’s fees, court costs, and...

How Long Does The Average Divorce Case take?

Another pressing question among people deciding to divorce: How long will it take? According to the results from our survey, the average time it to...

Divorce lawyer cost:

National hourly rate $250/hour Average range $200-$250/hour Low-end hourly rate $175-$200/hour High-end hourly rate $300-$325/hour It’s important t...

Divorce attorney fees

Every divorce and family law attorney has their own fee structure. While most bill hourly, some choose to work with flat fees or on a sliding scale...

Filing fees, service fees and other court costs

Attorney fees aren’t the only costs associated with a divorce. If your case requires an expert witness or a property appraiser, the parties will be...

Contested vs. uncontested divorce costs

The total cost of your divorce case generally comes down to whether it’s contested or uncontested. If your case is uncontested, you and your spouse...

How to save money on divorce lawyer fees

Divorces can be expensive, especially when they’re contested. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can keep your legal fees down. Mediation or col...

How to choose a divorce attorney

Divorce is an emotional and stressful process. It’s important to make sure you hire a lawyer who specializes in divorce and family law. You shoul...

Find a divorce lawyer near you

Experienced legal counsel and a good attorney-client relationship can make all the difference in your case. If you’re ready to hire an attorney to...

How much does a divorce attorney charge per hour?

20% paid $400 or more per hour. The more complicated the divorce, the higher attorneys' fees -- especially if the proceedings take a long time or if going to trial to resolve contested issues is necessary. Some attorneys offer a flat fee, which can help you budget for your divorce case.

How much does a divorce cost?

The median cost of a divorce is $7,500. An uncontested divorce or one with no major contested issues costs, on average, $4,100. Disputes over child support, child custody, and alimony raise the average cost of a divorce significantly. Divorces that go to trial on two or more issues cost, on average, $23,300.

How long does it take to get divorced in NC?

Divorces take, on average, between 12 and 18 months to finalize. Filing fees range from $75 in North Carolina to $435 in California. Divorced men and women have less money in independently owned defined-contribution retirement accounts than married men and women.

How much does a family therapy session cost?

Family therapy for yourself or your child: Rates are typically $75 to $200 per session, according to the National Directory of Marriage and Family Counseling.

Do you have to pay a fee to dissolve a marriage?

The court must legally dissolve your marriage. You have to pay a filing fee in court for this. Filing fees vary a lot by state, with some states showing significantly higher divorce costs than others.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?

Let’s get right to it. A divorce attorney could cost about $250 an hour. There are a number of factors that make up the cost of divorce.

Flat Fee vs. Hourly Rate

You’ll find that attorneys will charge a flat rate or they’ll charge an hourly rate. Flat fees can be as low as $500 for a very basic divorce with no assets.

Finding a Good Divorce Lawyer

Now that you know what to expect to pay, how do you find a good divorce attorney? Start by asking around. You’re bound to get a few good referrals.

The Cost of a Divorce

It’s unfortunate that many marriages end up in divorce. With a good divorce attorney for men, you can make sure that your rights are protected throughout the process.

How much does a divorce attorney charge?

Most divorce attorneys will charge a flat fee or an hourly rate, depending on the case. A flat fee can cost you between $900 and $6,000, again depending on the nature and complexity of your case.

What is the least expensive divorce?

The overall simplicity of a divorce case is what essentially determines the cost of the overall divorce. There are several factors, but the most common are: Contested vs. Uncontested: An uncontested divorce, or one in which both parties agree on the terms of divorce, is the least expensive course of action.

What goes into a case?

Some of what may go into a case includes: Appearances, such as representing you in court; Mediation, whether conducting the mediation themselves or representing a side in the mediation session; Filing the appropriate motions; Defending the appropriate motions in court; Conducting depositions;

How long does an attorney's fee last?

It is important to consider that when you are paying an attorney, you are paying them to perform several tasks, and you are paying them for an undertaking that will last anywhere from four to eleven months. These are just a few examples of what is covered by an attorney’s fees.

Is it important to be honest with your attorney?

Being completely honest with your attorney as to the nature of your situation can help your estimated costs be as accurate as possible. However, even then there may be circumstances that were not foreseeable.

What is Nolo for divorce?

Nolo is in a unique position to gather information about what actually happens in divorce cases across the country. Thousands of people visit Nolo.com and other Nolo sites every day, seeking legal information about divorce and looking to connect with divorce attorneys.

Do I need an attorney for divorce?

Although most people would prefer to have an attorney by their side when going through a divorce, many also worry about how much this will cost. Even if you've called around or visited the websites of various divorce attorneys, you may still wonder if a lawyer is charging too much, or even too little ...

Can an attorney text you?

Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost?

On average, hiring a divorce lawyer costs approximately $250 an hour. But, some clients may pay as low as $175 to $200 an hour and others could pay closer to $300 to $325 an hour.

How much does it cost to get divorced?

For example, the filing fee can range from as little as $85 if you’re filing in Wyoming to $435 if you’re divorcing in California.

How to get divorced in a divorce?

Before you go for an initial consultation, make a list of questions and concerns that are important to you. For example, you can ask: 1 about the filing process and what it entails 2 how long the divorce might take 3 if it's possible to have a payment plan 4 how long they've studied family law 5 if your spouse will be held responsible for your legal fees

What happens if a divorce is uncontested?

An uncontested divorce is often faster and less costly than a contested action.

Who is responsible for paying legal fees?

Each spouse is usually responsible for paying their own legal fees. Some jurisdictions award divorce attorney fees, and a higher-earning spouse may end up being responsible to pay reasonable attorney fees for the other.

Do all divorce lawyers charge a flat fee?

Flat fees. Not all attorneys charge a flat fee, but you might find one who charges one for a contested or uncontested divorce, for example. However, depending on your agreement with the lawyer, you might have to pay more than a flat fee if unexpected issues arise during the case.

How much does it cost to get divorce papers served?

Once you're done filing your divorce papers with the court, they will need to be served to your soon-to-be ex-spouse by a process server, which typically costs between $50 and $70.

What are the requirements for a 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)

What is alimony in divorce?

Alimony (spousal support) Consider how complex your divorce is when estimating how much it might cost. If you and your spouse own a lot of property and don't agree on its division, for example, you are looking at a longer and more costly divorce. The same is often true in divorces with children.

What is the difference between an uncontested divorce and a contested divorce?

Cost Difference Between Uncontested and Contested Divorce. An uncontested divorce (or an amicable divorce that uses mediation) will typically cost less. An uncontested divorce is possible if you can negotiate together and agree on big-ticket items such as who keeps the house.

Can I get divorced if I can't afford it?

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. Discussing tactics to reduce time in court with your attorney.

The Cost of Divorce Lawyers in Massachusetts

As we learned in our survey, most people hire an attorney to help them through the divorce process. When they do, their biggest expense is what they pay for that legal representation. The total bill for an attorney’s fees results from two components: the hourly rate and how many hours it takes to resolve the issues in your case.

How Disputes and Trial Affect the Cost of Divorce in Massachusetts

It’s common for couples getting divorced to disagree about one or more issues in their divorce, such as:

How an Uncontested Massachusetts Divorce Can Save Time and Money

You can lower your divorce costs—as well as how long the process will take—if you and your spouse file for what’s often referred to as a “no-fault 1A divorce” in Massachusetts. (The term comes from the relevant statute in state law: Mass. Gen. Laws, ch. 208, § 1A.)

What Other Expenses Contribute to the Cost of Divorce?

While attorneys’ fees make up the biggest cost of divorce, there are also other expenses like filing fees (currently $215, including a surcharge). Depending on the circumstances, you might also have to pay for mediation and the fees for experts such as financial analysts and child custody evaluators.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Pennsylvania?

Average total costs for Pennsylvania divorce lawyers are $9,500 to $11,500 but are typically lower in cases without contested issues. If you’re facing a divorce in Pennsylvania, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that the process can be expensive. But you probably want more details than that. Just how expensive can it be where you live?

What are the issues in divorce?

Divorces often involve one or more contested issues, such as: 1 child custody and support 2 alimony, and 3 the division of marital property and debts.

How long can you live apart from your spouse?

you’ve lived apart from your spouse for at least a year, and you claim the marriage is irretrievably broken (even if your spouse doesn’t agree). Alternatively, you may file a petition for a fault divorce by claiming that your spouse: was sentenced to at least two years in prison for a crime.

Can you file for no fault divorce in Pennsylvania?

The Impact of a “Fault” Divorce on Costs. Pennsylvania allows “fault” or “no-fault” divorces. You may file a no-fault divorce if either: you and your spouse agree that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” (known as a “mutual consent divorce”), or. you’ve lived apart from your spouse for at least a year, and you claim the marriage is irretrievably ...