how much will a lawyer charge for a simple divorce

by Amina McClure Jr. 10 min read

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.

Average Fees for a Divorce Lawyer
It is typical for new lawyers to charge $100+/hour and experienced attorneys to charge $300+/hour. You can expect to see outlier pricing that ranges from $30 to $500/hour as well. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
Jul 21, 2020

Full Answer

What is the average cost of a divorce attorney?

The average cost of divorce: $12,900

  • location,
  • whether child support or child custody were involved,
  • whether alimony was an issue, and
  • whether the divorce was settled outside of court or the couple went to trial.

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 divorce rate for lawyers?

What Makes People More or Less Likely to Divorce?

  • Your Age. Those who wait to marry until they are over 25 years old are 24 percent less likely to get divorced.
  • If you or your Partner Have Been Married Before. If both you and your partner have had previous marriages, you are 90 percent more likely to get divorced than if ...
  • Religion and Divorce. ...
  • Education and Intelligence. ...
  • Political Affiliation. ...

How much will my divorce cost?

Things that increase the cost and level of effort for a divorce

  • Conflict. The single biggest cost factor in a divorce is the level of conflict between the spouses. ...
  • Children. If you have children, any separation agreement (which I argue should be called a divorce agreement) needs to include a lot of details about how the children will be ...
  • Property. ...
  • Businesses. ...
  • Pensions. ...
  • Lawyers. ...
  • Trials. ...

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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...

How much does a divorce attorney cost?

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 ...

How much does it cost to file for divorce?

The cost will vary from state to state, but typically it’s about $300 , which can sting, considering the circumstances.

What is more important than paying a lawyer?

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.

Is divorce time consuming?

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.

Is divorce pleasant?

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.

Divorcing Without an Attorney

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.

Divorcing With an Attorney

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.

Using the Collaboration Process

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.

Speak with our Divorce Attorney in Phoenix & Scottsdale, AZ

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.

Divorce and Family Law

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.

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.

How much does a divorce attorney charge?

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.

What is the least expensive divorce?

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.

What are some examples of aspects of an attorney?

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.

How long does an attorney's fee last?

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.

Is it cheaper to contest a divorce or to uncontested?

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.

Is an attorney's fee tax deductible?

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.

Do lawyers charge more for divorce?

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.

How much does a divorce attorney charge per hour?

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.

How much does a divorce cost?

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.

What are the factors that affect the cost of divorce?

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.

How to reach a consensus in a DIY divorce?

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.

What is the job of an attorney?

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.

What is the complexities of divorce?

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.

How much does it cost to get divorced DIY?

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.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost?

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 to save money on divorce?

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.

What factors determine the cost of divorce?

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.

What do you do when you use a lawyer?

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.

Is legal separation as expensive as divorce?

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.

Is collaborative divorce cheaper than trial?

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.

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.

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.

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