how much is a consultation with a divorce lawyer

by Elda Vandervort IV 9 min read

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.

Full Answer

What is the average cost of 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.

How much does a divorce attorney make?

How do attorneys charge clients for a divorce?

How to negotiate fee with divorce lawyers?

That flat fee could be several thousand dollars, depending on the circumstances of the divorce and how many factors are present. 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.

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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...

Hourly Rates for Divorce Lawyers

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.

The Average Total Cost of Divorce

When all was said and done, what did the average person pay, in total, to get divorced? For readers who hired a full-scope divorce lawyer—meaning that the attorney handled everything in the case, from start to finish—the average total costs were $12,900.

How Disputes and Trial Affect the Cost of Divorce

In order to dig deeper into what makes some divorces cost more than others, we asked readers about the contested issues in their divorces—such as disagreements over child custody, child support, alimony, and the division of their property and debts —and whether they resolved those issues through an out-of-court settlement or only after a trial.

How Long Does the Average Divorce Case Take?

Another pressing question about divorce is how long the process takes, from filing the petition to a settlement or final court judgment. In our survey, the overall average duration of divorce was a year. Here again, the picture was worse for those who went to trial.

Bringing Down Divorce Costs: Uncontested Divorces, Mediation, and Consulting Attorneys

Beyond doing everything you can to avoid a trial, our survey results pointed to some other possibilities for lowering the cost of divorce.

Is it cheaper to get divorce without an attorney?

An amicable divorce without an attorney reduces how much a divorce costs drastically and is the cheapest way to divorce.

Why is divorce so expensive?

Divorce becomes more expensive when the couples cannot agree on essential issues. When spouses cannot agree on essential issues, the court proceedings generally drag long, and how much a divorce will cost will be more.

What is the difference between contested and uncontested divorce?

The biggest expenses in a contested divorce are attorney’s fees, the cost of hiring a forensic accountant, and other professionals.

What is the marriage.com course?

If you feel disconnected or frustrated about the state of your marriage but want to avoid separation and/or divorce, the marriage.com course meant for married couples is an excellent resource to help you overcome the most challenging aspects of being married.

Krysta L Berquist

It depends on the attorney. Some firms, like mine, give a free one hour consultation. Other firms will charge at the attorney's hourly rate. It is worth it to call around to check on each firm's individual policy.#N#More

Anthony J Van Zwaren

As other attorneys responded, every attorney has their customary practice, varying from a free initial consultation to a portion of their hourly rate. Divorces vary from family to family, some are uncontested, with no children, property to share or requests for alimony, to those that involve a multitude of issues.

James Alfred Caporrino

I also charge my hourly rate for a one hour consultation. You may call me at 201-592-7767 to discuss the rate in more detail.

Thomas S. Durst

There is aer varying opinion on this topic. There are attorenys who do not charge a consutlation fee. I do and it is simply my hourly rate and the initial consultations last for an hour to an hour and a half. During that time you are getting my advice and insights; benefits clients pay for...

Benjamin G Kelsen

Many attorneys, such as myself, will give a free consultation. Please feel free to contact me to discuss your case.

Jeffrey Anthony Skiendziul

The cost of retaining an attorney to represent you in a divorce depends entirely upon your unique situation. Many attonreys, if not all, who handle divorce cases charge a retainer fee up front, expected to be paid in full, based on how long they think it will take them to resolve thier case.

What You Should Expect at a Divorce Consultation

You already that you will be doing most of the talking since the case revolve around you. The divorce attorney will ask you for some information. Here are some of the details that the lawyer will ask you for during the initial consultations for the divorce meeting.

What You Should Bring to Your Initial Consultation

One of the things that you should do to be well prepared for the initial consultation is to bring documentation with you. The documentation will help the attorney to have an easier time evaluating your case.

Questions That You Should Ask the Attorney

When you visit the attorney’s office, it is important for you to find out as much as you can about the attorney, the process, and other details of the divorce process that you need to know about. To find everything you need to know, you need to prepare a list of questions to ask the divorce lawyer.

Are Meetings With Lawyers Confidential?

Most potential clients who go to an initial divorce consultation are not sure if they want a divorce. Potential clients want to understand what to expect if they choose to go ahead with the process. The law protects attorney-client communication. This means that the client’s right to privacy is well defined and should be preserved.

The Benefits of a Free Divorce Consultation

A divorce is going to be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. It can be stressful and emotionally damaging even when both parties mutually agree to it. That means that even the easiest divorce will be hard on everyone. And, because you go through one so rarely, there can be a thousand and one things you won’t be expecting.

Common Risks with Free Consultations with Divorce Lawyers

A law office makes their money through billable hours, which means the hours they bill for having to make up for those they don’t. So even if you get a free consultation, you’ll pay for it somewhere (such as higher prices down the line).

The Secret to Making a Free Divorce Consultation Worth It

We don’t want to frighten you away from a free consultation or push you into choosing a paid one. Because you can get immense value from free consultations. Many times, a free divorce consultation can be just as valuable (if not more so) than a paid one.

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