how much does it cost to hire divorce lawyer

The average cost for a divorce attorney is around $250 an hour, but this reflects a very wide range of rates, from about $100 an hour to more than $400 per hour. The level of legal representation you need will depend on the number of assets you and your spouse are dividing.

Full Answer

What is the average price for a divorce lawyer?

Our survey results might help. The first part of the total bill for a divorce lawyer is the hourly rate. Our survey showed an average rate of $270 an hour for divorce lawyers across the United States, but individual rates varied a lot.

How much does it cost to get a divorce attorney?

In our survey, people who hired a full-scope divorce lawyer—meaning the attorney handled everything in the case, from start to finish—paid an average of $11,300 in attorneys' fees. If those results give you sticker shock, it may help to remember that a few people with very high costs can skew the average.

What to look for in a good divorce lawyer?

You need someone who can take the following actions on your behalf:

• Review the circumstances surrounding your divorce and how state laws are likely to apply;
• File the appropriate legal documents with the court and respond to any pleadings you receive from your spouse;
• Appear by your side at divorce-related hearings, making effective legal arguments on your behalf;

More items...

What is the average cost of an uncontested divorce?

if the divorce is uncontested, most lawyers will charge a flat rate of $1,500 (excluding court fees) which includes consultation, an analysis of your situation, calculation of spousal and child support, an analysis of the division of marital assets and debts, child custody and support agreement, detailed divorce settlement agreement, preparation …

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...

How much does a divorce attorney charge?

Each spouse's average bill for attorneys’ fees in divorce was $11,300, although more than four in ten readers paid $5,000 or less.

How much do divorce lawyers make an hour?

On average, the readers in our survey paid their divorce attorneys $270 per hour. But that’s the overall average across the country. Hourly rates can vary significantly, depending on the attorney’s location, years of experience, and any specialized training or certifications. See the results of our separate study on hourly rates for family lawyers across the country for details about rates reported by attorneys in different states and metropolitan areas, as well as their policies on offering free consultations for new clients.

What Do Attorneys Bill For?

Attorneys generally bill you (usually increments of six to 15 minutes) for everything they do in connection with your case, including:

Why do some divorced couples have higher costs than others?

Why do some divorcing couples have higher costs than others? When there are difficult disputes to resolve in a case , the fees can get very expensive for experts like custody evaluators and forensic accountants (to trace, value, or divide assets). In our survey, readers paid an average of $1,600 in non-attorney costs when they had at least one contested issue but managed to settle their disagreements; that average jumped to $2,750 for those who went to trial on at least one issue.

What are the costs of divorce?

In our survey, the average for all of these costs was $1,580 for each spouse's share. However, that average was pushed up by the relatively small proportion of readers (10%) who had very high costs ($5,000 or more, in addition to their attorneys’ fees). The median amount of non-attorney costs was $500.

Why does divorce take so long?

There are several reasons divorces can take a long time, including the number and type of contested issues, combative spouses (or attorneys), the amount of time needed to gather evidence about things like complex finances or custody issues, and whether you go to trial.

What do you do when your spouse is a lawyer?

communicating with your spouse’s attorney (or directly with your self-represented spouse) and anyone else involved in the case. reviewing documents and performing research. discovery (such as requesting documents or other information and conducting depositions) drafting settlement agreements.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in 2021?

As of 2021, the average cost of divorce lawyer is approximately $250 ...

How to find a low cost divorce lawyer?

You can find a less expensive divorce attorney by performing a quick online search using the phrase, “low cost divorce lawyer near me,” and reading the reviews of former clients of any attorneys that come up in the search results.

Why do people retain lawyers for divorce?

This is because part of a divorce lawyer’s job is to convey what their client wants to the other party in a calm and professional manner.

What happens if a divorce lawyer charges less by the hour?

In general, the less time that a lawyer who bills by the hour spends on a case, the lower their final bill will likely be. In contrast, a divorce lawyer who charges less by the hour, but who also has less experience can end up needing additional time to research issues that a more qualified attorney already knows.

How can a divorce lawyer determine when there may be less expensive solutions for the parties to pursue in obtaining a?

Divorce lawyers can also determine when there may be less expensive solutions for the parties to pursue in obtaining a divorce by simply reviewing the facts of a case.

What is the complexity of a divorce?

The complexity of the legal issues involved in a divorce case; Whether the divorce decree will include arrangements for child custody, child visitation rights, and/or child support; The amount of items that still need to be negotiated before the final divorce proceeding;

What can a lawyer do for you?

Your lawyer will be able to assist you with more complicated matters, such as negotiating child custody, child visitation rights, and child support. Your lawyer can also help to ensure certain protections are complied with regarding your assets and property, depending on the marital property laws in your state.

Attorney Fees

When you hire a divorce lawyer, you’ll have to agree to an hourly rate. Most attorneys work based on hourly rates which can be anything from $150 to $300 but averagely sit at $220 an hour.

What Can Affect the Cost?

The cost will also heavily rely on the details of your divorce. For example, if your spouse intends on contesting child custody or doesn’t want a divorce at all, it can mean your attorney has to work harder to reach an agreement.

How to Keep Costs Low

One of the best ways to keep costs low is to hire an experienced lawyer who can get the job done quickly. Take a look at this website for more information. You may also be able to keep costs low by coming to an agreement with your spouse outside of court (also known as collaborative divorce).

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

While some couples can resolve their issues within a few months, others may take years to work their way through the legal proceedings, division of assets, and other family matters, especially if the divorce involves children. Most individuals filing for divorce have a lot of questions, with the price of a divorce attorney being at the top of the list; however, while the exact answer depends upon the facts of each individual case, a few common factors can influence the cost of hiring a divorce lawyer.

Do family law attorneys bill hourly?

It’s standard practice that family law attorneys bill their clients hourly. While an individual may work with a single attorney on their divorce, working up the case can involve multiple law firm staff members and more junior attorneys to ensure its success.

Is divorce more complicated than it is?

Divorces should not be any more complicated, stressful, or expensive than they need to be. Clients seeking a divorce lawyer trust the time and attention paid to their cases will ensure a favorable outcome, but it shouldn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. The family law attorneys at Terry & Roberts understand divorces often signal a transitional season in an individual’s life; and, with that can come financial burdens. No one should be taken advantage of when seeking the guidance of a lawyer through a difficult matter such as divorce.