You'll often find attorneys willing to charge all-inclusive, flat-rate fees for simple projects ranging from $700 for an uncontested divorce to $1,000 for writing a prenup. Hiring a lawyer on a flat-rate basis to create a simple will costs $300, while a will for more complex estates may be $1,200 to write.
The average cost of divorce: $12,900
You need someone who can take the following actions on your behalf:
What Makes People More or Less Likely to Divorce?
Things that increase the cost and level of effort for a 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. Ev...
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...
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...
The total cost of a divorce is about $15,000, but can go as high as $100,000 depending on how many issues you want a judgment on ...
The cost will vary from state to state, but typically it’s about $300 , which can sting, considering the circumstances.
Far more important than what you are paying your lawyer and the courts is hiring the right attorney. Do your research based on what you can afford, and find the right representation to protect what you have at stake.
Divorces can be time-consuming and messy, and the issues in each divorce are different from one couple to the next. Because the outcome of every divorce is determined by the defendants, the attorneys, and what is at stake, it’s nearly impossible to find a standard overall cost.
No one would ever describe the divorce process as being pleasant; neither would any spouses say on their wedding day they were planning on divorcing down the road. But divorce happens—for at least 50 percent of all first, second, and third marriages.
Filing for an uncontested divorce by yourself, you do have options. Primarily, you and your spouse can submit the required documents with the local family court in your area. The court is going to then provide you with the paperwork you’ll need, like a petition for divorce and a parenting plan, in which details the care for your children.
When you choose to have an attorney assist you, the attorney is going to advocate on your behalf and your wishes during the divorce process. Retaining an attorney could be helpful when you have a convoluted divorce, or if you both disagree on particular matters.
A 3rd option that has become favorable over the past couple of years is collaborative divorces. These kinds of divorces are a hybrid between retaining an attorney and mediation, in which is when both spouses work collaboratively to reach a resolution to their matters.
Moshier Law should be your choice when you need the best divorce attorney in Phoenix. An experienced family law attorney will work with you to obtain the best possible outcome in your situation. We advocate for our clients, so they have the brightest future possible. Give us a call today at 480-999-0800 for a free consultation.
When a case demands litigation, you’ll have the benefit of 19 years of litigation experience in California and Arizona. But when a case demands collaborative law or mediation, we can meaningfully describe why collaborative law or mediation may or may not be your best option.
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.
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.
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.
And some older studies have shown that divorce causes an average 77% drop in wealth.
Despite that drop in the rate, this still means hundreds of thousands of people per year end a marriage -- 782,038 in 2018.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Some examples of the aspects an attorney will address are: The division of debts and assets; Setting the terms for child support and custody, if necessary; and. Conducting research to gather supporting evidence. These are just a few examples of what is covered by an attorney’s fees.
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.
Although there are legitimate reasons to contest a divorce, an uncontested divorce is the least costly option; Net Worth: The more that one party owns, the more that needs value determination.
Generally, attorney’s fees are not tax deductible. The exception to this is if the attorney charges to collect alimony or child support, or if the attorney gives tax related advice in relation to the divorce case. These can be claimed so long as the attorney keeps these hours separately accounted for.
Further, if real estate is involved, refinancing and recording deeds make the process more expensive. Additionally, lawyers typically charge a higher fee in divorce cases where property or children are highly contested. Remember, do not hide anything or hold any information back from your attorney.
Typically, the average fee charged by divorce attorneys per hour can be between $200 and $500 per hour. You may have to pay the attorney a retainer of around $3,500-$10,000 at the beginning, depending on the complexity of your case.
A regular attorney-driven divorce can set you back by $15,000-$32,000 and any divorce case that goes to trial can cost between $75,000-$200,000 for a couple.
The key factors which have an impact on the cost of divorce are: The method of divorce. The attorney you decide on. The state and/or the county where you reside. The complexities of your divorce case. Level of conflict or support between your spouse and you.
If you have some issues such as alimony or visitation rights that you are unable to agree about in a DIY divorce, you can arrive at a consensus by making use of a divorce mediator or a professional who can achieve a closure in several controversial issues. Divorce mediation can also help you save money.
The job of an attorney is to essentially advocate for the spouse that hired them and get a favorable outcome for the client. In the case of a divorce involving an attorney, there are several steps involved and the procedure varies according to the state, the county and the specific couples.
The complexities of your divorce case. Level of conflict or support between your spouse and you. No two divorces are alike and so, when you are determining the cost of the divorce, you must consider the specific situation and the complexities of the divorce.
The average cost for a DIY divorce can range anywhere between $300-$1500 depending on the complexity of your case, paperwork fees and the court.
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.
A good way to save money on your divorce is to do your divorce without a lawyer. In many states, this means being pro se. In California, if you file on your own behalf, you're pro per. If you have an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse can create your own agreement.
Things that factor into the cost of a divorce include: Where you're getting divorced. Whether you're using a lawyer for your entire divorce or only part of it. Whether you have children. Whether you're doing it yourself.
Preparing for court. Preparing for depositions and discovery . Preparing and reviewing paper s. Legal research. If you're using a lawyer just for reviewing documents, you will cut thousands of dollars from your bill. You can also agree with your lawyer that you'll only pay for some services and not others.
In many cases, a legal separation is as expensive as a divorce. Discuss this with your lawyer to see if there's any advantage to getting separated, or if your state requires a legal separation before divorce. Get help with divorce LEARN MORE. About the Author.
Collaborative divorce is cheaper than a divorce that goes to trial. Collaborative divorce requires that each party get an attorney. You, your spouse, and the two attorneys will sit down in an office, usually for several meetings, and try to settle.
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.
The biggest expenses in a contested divorce are attorney’s fees, the cost of hiring a forensic accountant, and other professionals.
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.
An amicable divorce without an attorney reduces how much a divorce costs drastically and is the cheapest way to divorce.