how much will a lawyer divorce cost? pa

by Prof. Alek Romaguera Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 7 min read

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.

Full Answer

How much does divorce cost in Pennsylvania?

Jul 07, 2020 · 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.

How to get a divorce in Pennsylvania without a lawyer?

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.

How much does a simple divorce cost?

Apr 28, 2020 · TYPICAL TOTAL FEES. $9,500 - $11,500. $9,500-$11,500. Average total costs for Pennsylvania divorce lawyers are $9,500 to $11,500 but are typically lower in cases without contested issues. If you’re facing a divorce in Pennsylvania, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that the process can be expensive. But you probably want more details than that. Just how …

How much will my divorce cost?

Jul 24, 2020 · 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. Typically, divorce lawyers ask clients to put down a large retainer at the beginning of cases for $2,000-$5,000 to draw from as they complete work on the case.

How much is a divorce lawyer pa?

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.Jul 24, 2020

Who pays for divorce attorney fees in Pennsylvania?

Who Pays Attorney Fees in a Divorce? One of the primary expenses of divorce is often the cost of retaining legal representation. In Pennsylvania, the court has the power to order one spouse to pay for the other's attorney fees.Oct 22, 2019

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.

What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in PA?

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.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in PA?

When Both Individuals Live in Pennsylvania. If both you and your partner currently reside within the state, there is no true advantage to filing first. Even if you file first, the case will usually be held at the Court of Common Pleas in the defendant's county, or the county where you married, by default.Nov 20, 2020

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.

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

A spouse is entitled to alimony only if the court decides that alimony is “necessary.” To decide whether alimony is necessary, how much should be paid, and how long it should be paid, the court must consider many factors – including but not limited to the relative income and earning capacities of the parties, the ages ...

Who gets the house in a divorce in PA?

The short answer is either party could get the house in a Pennsylvania divorce. The judge could order the parties to sell the house and split the net proceeds after the mortgage and any home equity loans are paid off.Jan 4, 2021

What is abandonment in PA?

In the state of Pennsylvania spousal abandonment is recognized when: abandonment is deliberate and final, continued for an uninterrupted time of twelve months and the relationship has moved beyond any reasonable expectation of reconciliation.Sep 18, 2012

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

Who pays attorney fees in divorce?

Traditionally, the parties each pay for their own attorney in a divorce suit. The spouses are not allowed to share an attorney, so each party must provide their own attorney for the legal process.May 1, 2018

How much does a no-fault divorce cost in PA?

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.

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.

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Pennsylvania?

Average total costs for Pennsylvania divorce lawyers are $9,500 to $11,500 but are typically lower in cases without contested issues. If you’re facing a divorce in Pennsylvania, it won’t come as a surprise to learn that the process can be expensive. But you probably want more details than that. Just how expensive can it be where you live?

Can you file for no fault divorce in Pennsylvania?

The Impact of a “Fault” Divorce on Costs. Pennsylvania allows “fault” or “no-fault” divorces. You may file a no-fault divorce if either: you and your spouse agree that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” (known as a “mutual consent divorce”), or. you’ve lived apart from your spouse for at least a year, and you claim the marriage is irretrievably ...

What are the issues in divorce?

Divorces often involve one or more contested issues, such as: 1 child custody and support 2 alimony, and 3 the division of marital property and debts.

How long can you live apart from your spouse?

you’ve lived apart from your spouse for at least a year, and you claim the marriage is irretrievably broken (even if your spouse doesn’t agree). Alternatively, you may file a petition for a fault divorce by claiming that your spouse: was sentenced to at least two years in prison for a crime.

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.

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.

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.

What is a free consultation for divorce?

Most firms offer a free consultation, and it can be very helpful in finding the attorney that's a good fit for the particular details that need to be resolved in your divorce. A good consultation will cover. guidelines on how to conduct yourself for the duration of the case.

Does a divorce lawyer offer a free consultation?

How long is a mediation session?

While most mediation sessions are charged hourly, some mediators prefer to charge per session. On average, a typical mediation session will last about two hours. Of course, this timeframe will depend on the topics of discussion and whether or not any conflict is involved. The hourly rate for private meditation ranges, ...

How to reduce costs of divorce?

While the costs seem high, an important takeaway is that divorce is still attainable. Do not refuse to get a divorce just because you cannot afford it. You may be able to reduce costs by: 1 Asking your attorney for an affordable payment plan 2 Discussing tactics to reduce time in court with your attorney 3 Resolving issues through divorce mediation 4 Working with a lawyer on just some parts of your case (this is called limited scope representation) 5 Getting free advice at a family law clinic (available at some family law courts) 6 Speaking with a legal aid organization to see if you qualify for free services

What are the requirements for a divorce?

In every state, a variety of factors will change the hours required to negotiate and find a divorce agreement such as: 1 Child custody 2 Amount of property 3 Tax advice 4 Alimony (spousal support)

Can you get an uncontested divorce?

An uncontested divorce is possible if you can negotiate together and agree on big-ticket items such as who keeps the house. If you want the court to help you determine how things are split (in a contested divorce), you will rack up additional attorney's fees.

What is alimony in divorce?

Alimony (spousal support) Consider how complex your divorce is when estimating how much it might cost. If you and your spouse own a lot of property and don't agree on its division, for example, you are looking at a longer and more costly divorce. The same is often true in divorces with children.

What is the difference between an uncontested divorce and a contested divorce?

Cost Difference Between Uncontested and Contested Divorce. An uncontested divorce (or an amicable divorce that uses mediation) will typically cost less. An uncontested divorce is possible if you can negotiate together and agree on big-ticket items such as who keeps the house.

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 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.

How long does it take to dissolve a marriage?

According to Nolo, the average time it takes to complete the process of dissolving a marriage is 12 months. However, for those who went to trial to resolve at least one contested issue, the average time expanded to 18 months.

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.

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.