how much is a divorce lawyer in pa

What does the average divorce cost in PA?

The average cost of divorce in Pennsylvania state is approximately $14,300. The expenses can reach $21,500 if there are children or property involved. The average filing fees in Pennsylvania are $350.

Do you need a lawyer to get a divorce in PA?

Do You Need a Lawyer for Uncontested Divorce? You don't need to hire a lawyer to get a mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania and you can represent yourself during the process. Spouses can try to handle everything themselves or use an online service that eases the process.

Who pays for lawyer fees in a divorce in PA?

spouseIn Pennsylvania the court has the power to order one spouse to pay for the other's attorney fees. The judge will consider factors such as the income gap between the parties and whether both are acting in good faith.

Who pays for a divorce in PA?

Generally speaking, you're on your own for your legal fees. In certain cases wherein one party has a very good income and the other party is low or no income, it is possible to ask the Court to have the well-to-do party pay the other's legal fees.Sep 3, 2019

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in PA?

Income of both parties, including medical insurance and retirement benefits. Contribution of each spouse to the marriage, including income and homemaking. Standard of living established during the marriage.Oct 18, 2021

Does Pa require separation before divorce?

To obtain a no-fault divorce, you and your spouse must have been separated for two years before filing or you both must consent to the divorce. Additionally, a judge won't grant your no-fault divorce right away. Once you've filed your case, there is a 90-day waiting period before your divorce can be finalized.

How long does a divorce take in PA?

Divorce in Pennsylvania can take between 90 days and 12 months on average, depending on whether it is a fault or a no-fault one. The mandatory waiting period for a no-fault marriage dissolution is 90 days. The average contested divorce takes 5-12 months, and an uncontested one – around 4-6 months.

Can you date while separated in PA?

Is it okay to date when you're separated? It is okay, providing you do it right. If you start seeing someone else before you and your spouse decide to divorce or before you physically separate, it is considered adultery.Sep 17, 2018

How long can a divorce settlement take?

How quickly the financial settlement is issued depends on a variety of factors but it could take anywhere between 6 and 12 months.

Is PA a 50/50 divorce state?

Pennsylvania divides marital property under the theory of "equitable distribution". (Pa. C.S.A. - Title 23 - Chapter 35 3502.) Community property states attempt a 50-50 distribution, as best as possible.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in PA?

Some may consider rushing to be the first to file, due to widespread belief that doing so will benefit them. However, what too few couples realize is that so long as both parties are Pennsylvania residents, it does not matter who files for divorce first.Nov 20, 2020

What are grounds for divorce in PA?

A divorce on fault grounds requires that the plaintiff prove that he or she is the innocent and injured spouse and that the other spouse is guilty of one of six categories of marital misconduct: adultery, desertion, cruel and barbarous treatment, bigamy, imprisonment for a crime, and indignities.

Who pays for a divorce in PA?

In Pennsylvania the court has the power to order one spouse to pay for the other’s attorney fees. The judge will consider factors such as the incom...

Is collaborative divorce cheaper than traditional divorce?

The Pennsylvania Collaborative Law Act has made collaborative divorces legitimate. Couples are free to agree on any type of financial and custody s...

What are the values of a good divorce lawyer?

You want to be sure that your lawyer has experience handling divorce cases in Pennsylvania -- specifically in the jurisdiction where your case will...

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in PA?

Pursuing an uncontested divorce without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce pape...

How much does it cost to get divorced in Pennsylvania?

Pursuing an uncontested or mutual consent divorce in Pennsylvania without hiring an attorney is the cheapest route. You can expect approximately a $300 fee to file your divorce papers. There can be an additional cost between $150 and $1,500 in case you use the support of an online service.

What does a divorce lawyer do?

Working with a divorce attorney who can protect your interest in future financial benefits like pensions and retirement accounts will provide closure and peace of mind as you move on with your life. An experienced divorce lawyer will make sure that assets are appropriately re-titled to avoid unforeseen tax consequences.

Why is divorce so expensive?

In general, divorces become increasingly expensive based on three main factors: the complexity of your individual situation (which will impact how long the process takes); who you hire; how much you or your spouse are willing to compromise to reach agreements and keep costs down.

Why is it important to hire a lawyer for divorce?

Hiring a skilled lawyer will be among the most important decisions you make in your divorce process. You want to ensure that you have an attorney who will work to find the best outcomes for you, your children, and your financial future.

What is collaborative divorce?

In a collaborative divorce, each party agrees to resolve their issues cooperatively.

Can an incompetent attorney make divorce painful?

An incompetent attorney can make your divorce even more painful than it has to be; and more expensive in the long run. Without the proper legal guidance your spouse could take advantage of the situation in a way that might not be repairable later.

How Much Does a No-Fault Divorce Cost in Pennsylvania?

The cost of no-fault divorce in PA will be around $12,000 if the case is contested, $4,000 with a lawyer in an uncontested case, or under $500 if spouses prepare their paperwork themselves or get it online.

Contested Divorce in Pennsylvania: Costs

What makes a divorce so expensive? The answer is simple – disputes. The more you have – the more you are going to spend, and you may expect to pay anywhere from $13,000 to $30,000 or more.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Pennsylvania?

On average, divorce lawyers charge $250-350 an hour. The more disputes are left unresolved between you and your spouse, the longer you will require legal services, which means that you may end up with a hefty check.

Filing Fee for Divorce in Pennsylvania

The average cost to file for divorce in Pennsylvania is $300-400. No matter if you are going to hire a lawyer or not, you will have to cover this filing fee. The amount you have to pay will depend on the county where you plan to file in.

Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce Costs in Pennsylvania

A contested divorce means there are issues that still need to be resolved, such as property division, child custody, child support, or spousal maintenance. An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse have been able to reach an agreement on your own. There is nothing left to divide or figure out.

When Should I Pay an Attorney to Handle Something?

Attorney fees will likely be the largest bill from your divorce. If you think about it, attorneys charge fees for their time, and the more time they work on your case, the more they are going to charge.

Options That Affect the Cost of Your Pennsylvania Divorce

Most people don't realize that there are many different ways of going through divorce. Below you will find a list of different divorce options, the general costs you can expect, and the pros and cons of each option.

How Much Are Divorce Filing Fees in Pennsylvania?

Courts in every state charge a fee in order to "file" or record a divorce. In Pennsylvania, filing fees vary from county to county. They also vary depending on the type of document that is being filed and the contested issues involved. Filing fees can be hundreds of dollars in some counties.

How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost in Pennsylvania?

The average hourly fee for divorce lawyers in Pennsylvania is $250 per hour, but that amount can be higher or lower depending on how much experience the lawyer has and what city they are located in.

Can I File for Divorce in Pennsylvania Without a Lawyer?

Yes. In fact, many people choose to handle their divorce cases by themselves without hiring a lawyer. However, it is almost always preferable to have a lawyer involved, even if it is just to review your divorce agreement for mistakes you could be making or issues you could be missing.

How Long Will a Divorce Take in California?

How long your divorce takes will depend on a few different factors, including:

What Is the Total Cost of a Divorce in Pennsylvania?

The amount of money you could spend on legal fees depends primarily on whether your divorce is contested or uncontested.

What Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?

Legal fees make up a large part of the cost of your divorce. Most divorce attorneys charge between $230 and $280 per hour. In the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas, fees may be as high as $320 per hour. By the time your divorce is finalized, the total fees are between $9,500 and $11,500.

A Pittsburgh Divorce Lawyer Can Reduce Your Costs Overall

Hiring a Pittsburgh divorce lawyer seems expensive, but you must consider the value of having a legal fighter on your side. It may be a better investment up front than to pay thousands of dollars for many years in child support, spousal support, or both.

Other Expenses in a Divorce

There are some other costs involved with getting a divorce. You will have to pay filing fees, mediation costs, and potential expert expenses. Sometimes experts are used in child custody cases. Financial analysts may be used to submit an opinion and analysis in alimony, spousal support, and child support issues.

Contested vs. Uncontested Divorce In Pennsylvania

Contested divorces may result in greater expense than uncontested divorces. Pennsylvania requires hired professionals to help divorcing couples reach divorce agreements. Uncontested divorces occur when a divorcing couple can compromise, eliminating the need for an attorney or mediator.

How Much Does An Uncontested Divorce Cost In Pennsylvania?

For the cheapest divorce, Pennsylvania couples can expect to pay minimal fees. Filing divorce papers amounts to around $300.

Common Costs Involved In A Pennsylvania Divorce

Divorce expenses in Pennsylvania depend on the situation and vary in expenses. The following factors impact the price of a divorce:

Divorce Costs In Pennsylvania: The Complexity Of The Divorce

A complex divorce usually requires a longer process, resulting in more expenses. Complex divorces may require more professional involvement, which increases expenses.

Divorce Costs In Pennsylvania: Hired Professionals

If a divorcing couple consults with professionals, such as an attorney or mediator, the divorce may become more expensive. Attorneys and mediators, who charge by the hour, may cause a Pennsylvania divorce to become increasingly more costly.

Divorce Costs In Pennsylvania: Compromises Between Each Spouse

If spouses are willing to compromise without using a hired professional, they can expect their divorce expenses to decrease substantially.

Do children add to divorce expenses in Pennsylvania?

Yes, children may cause divorce expenses to rise in Pennsylvania. Determining custody agreements, child support, and other concepts may cause a dispute between divorcing spouses, resulting in a higher probability of attorneys or mediators stepping in.

What is PA divorce law?

PA divorce law provides that litigants in a divorce matter should be placed on equal footing, and have equal access to legal counsel to protect their own interests, regardless of whether or not they have the means to afford it.

How does divorce work in Pennsylvania?

There are three aspects of a divorce case: 1) child custody (if children), 2) support (child support, spousal support and alimony pendente lite (APL)) and 3) equitable distribution of marital property. The court designates a hearing for each of these aspects.

How much does a child custody trial cost?

If the child custody matter then requires a trial, it is not uncommon for the trial to go on for weeks and cost $10,000-$20,000 or more per spouse.

What happens if my spouse loses his job?

Meanwhile, your spouse loses their job, and you become the only wage earner. You both have joint custody. Your spouse makes a claim for both child support and temporary spousal support pending the litigation.

Who is Cris Pastore?

Cris Pastore, Esq. is co-founder and managing attorney-mediator at Main Line Family Law Center , a divorce mediation firm with seven offices along the Main Line and Center City, Philadelphia. A practicing attorney for over 20 years, Cris has focused exclusively on divorce mediation since 2007, when he grew increasingly frustrated by destructive nature of the court-contested divorce process. Cris has made it his personal mission to revolutionize this area of practice to preserve family relationships and help families emerge healthy and whole. Follow Cris at @healthy_divorce.

Can you ask your spouse to pay counsel fees in PA?

There isn't a more humiliating feeling than this. In a PA divorce, if you were the sole provider or breadwinner during the marriage, your spouse has the right to ask the court for you to pay his/her counsel fees - which you will likely get stuck paying.

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 wealth does divorce cause?

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

How many people ended their marriages in 2018?

Despite that drop in the rate, this still means hundreds of thousands of people per year end a marriage -- 782,038 in 2018.

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.