how much does divorce lawyer cost for divorce in washington state

Washington State divorce law costs between $250 and $285 per hour for an experienced lawyer. To obtain an alimony agreement, divorce attorneys normally charge between $11k and $12k for the entire dissolution of the marriage. However, in the case of mutual divorce, the costs are significantly low, usually between $5k and $8k.

Full Answer

How much does a divorce cost in Washington State?

Sep 16, 2020 · Average total costs for Washington divorce lawyers are $10,500 to $12,000 but are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. We all know that getting divorced can be expensive, especially when a couple has children or significant property together. But from one couple to the next—or one place to the next—divorce costs might vary widely.

How long does it take to divorce in Washington State?

Most agreed divorce services in Washington State charge between $500 and $700 including the $300+ court filing fee. Our firm recommends an agreed divorce service named Peaceful Separations, which charges closer to $700 including the court filing fee.

How difficult is it to get a divorce in Washington?

9 rows · In Washington State, the average cost of a contested divorce is $15,000 and can increase to ...

What are the requirements for divorce in Washington State?

Mar 09, 2022 · How Much Does A Divorce Lawyer Cost In Washington State? Washington State divorce law costs between $250 and $285 per hour for an experienced lawyer. To obtain an alimony agreement, divorce attorneys normally charge between $11k and $12k for the entire dissolution of the marriage.

How do I get a free divorce in Washington State?

Best Free Resources for WA Divorces. Northwest Justice Project, also Known as CLEAR. If you income qualify, you might receive live legal assistance from Northwest Justice Project by calling 1-888-201-1014. Expect to spend a few hours trying to get through on the phone—these services are in high demand.

How long does a divorce take in WA state?

Technically, a divorce in Washington State can be finalized 90 days after the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed and is signed by both spouses (or is signed by one spouse and served to the other spouse). However, many divorces take longer than 90 days to finalize due to a number of different factors.

How much is a divorce lawyer?

Of course, the cost will vary widely, depending on how many hours of the lawyer's services you need. In our survey, the small proportion of readers (10%) who consulted a lawyer or used unbundled legal services in their divorce paid an average of $4,600 in attorneys' fees; the more-typical, median amount was $3,000.

Is Washington State a 50/50 divorce state?

Washington is a 50/50 divorce state. This means that almost all property, assets, and debts acquired during a marriage are subject to division in a divorce—regardless of who secured them.Jun 1, 2021

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Washington State?

You get a decree, a division of all the parties' property, a parenting plan, a child support order, and potentially spousal maintenance (alimony).

How many years do you have to be married to get alimony in Washington?

Alimony in Medium-Term Marriages (5–25 years) As a general rule of thumb, courts in Washington State award one year of alimony for every three or four years of marriage. There is no statute or case law explicitly stating this formula, but it is an oft mentioned rule and generally what courts can be expected to do.

How much does it cost to get a divorce 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 is a divorce in Washington State?

How Much Does an Uncontested Divorce Cost in Washington State? Most uncontested divorces filed in Washington State cost between $500 and $700. You will also need to pay an additional court filing fee of around $300. This also doesn't take into account the cost of attorney or mediation fees if required.Sep 18, 2020

What am I entitled to financially in a divorce?

Assets that you have built up or acquired during the period of marriage are known as matrimonial assets or marital assets. These typically include property, pensions, savings, personal belongings, and cash in the bank. These assets will always be added to the overall 'pot' and will need to be split fairly.

Who gets the house in a divorce Washington?

One Party's Separate Property. Courts usually award each spouse his or her separate property and divide community property 50/50. Consequently, if the house is entirely one spouse's separate property, he or she almost always receives it unless the parties agree otherwise.

How is alimony calculated in Washington State?

Specifically, to determine the amount of alimony, a spousal support award should be calculated by taking 30% of the payor's gross income minus 20% of the payee's gross income.Sep 20, 2016

Is spousal support mandatory in Washington State?

Washington law requires courts to consider the requesting spouse's need for maintenance and the other spouse's ability to pay. Maintenance should be no more than the would-be-recipient needs, nor should it exceed the would-be-payor's ability to pay.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Washington?

Most agreed divorce services in Washington State charge between $500 and $700 including the $300+ court filing fee.

What does "uncontested" mean in divorce?

We should begin by defining the term ‘uncontested’. In this context, uncontested means the parties (husband and wife) settle at the outset of the case. By way of further clarification, it does NOT simply mean the parties agree to a divorce. To be uncontested, the parties must reach agreement on EACH AND EVERY TERM AT THE DATE THE DIVORCE PETITION IS FILED. This is because an agreed petition (petition and joinder) delineates the terms of the settlement, such who receives what assets, who pays what debts, and the amount of alimony.

Why is it so hard to predict the cost of a case?

The cost is also difficult to predict, because it depends on how hard each party fights. Many contested cases begin as skirmishes but end as wars. The harder the parties fight, the more hours the attorneys bill and the more expensive the case becomes.

Divorce-Related Fees in Washington State

There are several divorce-related fees in Washington State. A breakdown of the costs is provided in the table below:

The Basics of the Washington State Uncontested Divorce

Before filing for divorce in Washington, you should get acquainted with state laws, as explained in the list below:

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How much does it cost to get divorced in Washington?

Just to file for divorce in Washington, it costs roughly $350. (This includes fees for filing, a judicial surcharge, and court facilitator costs.) From there, you have to serve your spouse. If you hire a lawyer, they can handle that, likely for a fee, or you can use an outside process server.

What is included in divorce settlement?

Your settlement can also include stipulations that your ex must refinance loans to be in one name. In a perfect world, that’s what will happen.

What happens after divorce?

TaxesMany people often fail to consider the impact of taxes in post-divorce life. After finalizing your divorce, your filing status changes.

What forms are needed for divorce?

There are two forms that are required for every divorce: Confidential Information Form and a. Certificate of Dissolution – Vital Statistics form.

What happens after dividing assets?

After dividing the shared assets, if financial need or a large gap in earning potential still exists, the court may award spousal support. The court may take into account factors like:

What factors affect the final amount of your case?

Countless factors will impact the final amount of your case, these are a few of them. How contentious the split, the length of the marriage, future earning potential, the amount of property to divide, number of assets to split, owning your own business, whether or not you have kids, divvying up child support payments,

Do divorce costs last forever?

Though fees for paperwork, court appearances, and lawyers are the most obvious costs of divorce, none of them last forever. Once your divorce becomes official, these stop accumulating. Depending on your situation, a number of expenses continue long after you sign the divorce decree.

How much does a divorce cost?

A divorce where lawyers argue back and forth on behalf of their clients can cost tens of thousands. Most uncontested divorces cost each spouse several thousand dollars before a final agreement is reached.

How much does it cost to get divorce papers prepared?

You can have all your divorce documents prepared by a duly licensed attorney for a flat fee of $249. The process is simple: You pay the processing fee, answer some questions online, and submit your answers to the attorney.

What does an attorney do for a divorce?

The attorney reviews the agreement you reached with your spouse and then prepares all the necessary documents for your unique situation and circumstances. If the attorney has any concerns about your agreement, he or she brings these issues to your attention, allowing you and your spouse to amend your agreement.

What can an attorney do to help my spouse?

First, an attorney can review the agreement you and your spouse reached to ensure that it is legal and likely to be approved by the court. If there are parts of your agreement that a judge may not approve, the attorney can bring these issues to your attention so that you and your spouse can revise your agreement.

What is limited representation?

The most common type of limited representation is for the attorney to simply draft all the documents for you and answer basic questions. In a limited representation, you and the attorney share the responsibilities of completing your uncontested divorce.

How to save money on attorney fees?

We always say it is better to take your money and spend it on yourself. Take a vacation, take a trip, or visit family or friends. Then come back and try to reach the agreement with your spouse.

Can a non-attorney advise you on a legal agreement?

Therefore, all a non-attorney can do is type your documents for you using the exact information you provide. A non-attorney can't advise you on whether your agreement is valid or likely to be approved by the judge. Finally, by having an attorney prepare your documents, you can often get "free" legal advice.