Select a stage of divorce »
Divorce Can Get Costly Quickly
Personal and social costs aren’t cheap
Posted by Rachel Small on Sun, 08/05/2007 - 11:19am
Married couples contemplating a split always wonder if they can afford a divorce. Divorce costs in the United States vary, but one expert estimates a cost range of between $10,000 and $15,000, with an average of $15,000. There are too many variables to nail down specific numbers since it depends upon the expertise and experience of the attorney you engage. Savvy divorce attorneys may charge $400 or $500 per hour plus expenses. Others could start as low as $165 per hour.
The hourly rate of the attorney is not the only cost to consider. The court filing fees, the number of issues to be litigated, the number of legal filings, cost of appraisers, expert witnesses and use of a mediator all add to the total. Contested divorces can take a year or more to settle while the cost meter keeps running.
For an uncontested divorce with few issues involved, the cheapest way to uncouple is to use the do-it-yourself forms on the Internet. This method will cost about $300. I do not recommend this route because it is best that each party have an attorney to make sure mistakes are not made.
Mediation is another cost saver. Experienced in family law, mediators can usually sort out matters in less than eight hours and the cost is about $5,000. It is advisable that each party have an attorney.
You can minimize attorney hourly fees by keeping a few things in mind:
1. Secure required tax forms, mortgage and financial information.
2. Don’t call the attorney constantly with questions. Save them up for one call.
3. Try talking to a junior attorney with lower hourly fees.
4. Negotiate and settle issues with your spouse in advance.
5. If negotiation is not possible, have your attorney negotiate a settlement outside of court.
In addition to the personal costs, divorce involves social costs for society. Experts say that each divorce costs the federal government about $30,000 in services. All governmental levels may be involved in the costs of child support enforcement, domestic violence programs, child abuse and neglect services, welfare, housing and food stamps. All of these things are direct or indirect consequences of divorce. Governments spends close to $1 billion yearly attempting to alleviate suffering and problems associated with divorce.
It is clear that most middle class families cannot afford contentious, litigated divorces.
The hourly rate of the attorney is not the only cost to consider. The court filing fees, the number of issues to be litigated, the number of legal filings, cost of appraisers, expert witnesses and use of a mediator all add to the total. Contested divorces can take a year or more to settle while the cost meter keeps running.
For an uncontested divorce with few issues involved, the cheapest way to uncouple is to use the do-it-yourself forms on the Internet. This method will cost about $300. I do not recommend this route because it is best that each party have an attorney to make sure mistakes are not made.
Mediation is another cost saver. Experienced in family law, mediators can usually sort out matters in less than eight hours and the cost is about $5,000. It is advisable that each party have an attorney.
You can minimize attorney hourly fees by keeping a few things in mind:
1. Secure required tax forms, mortgage and financial information.
2. Don’t call the attorney constantly with questions. Save them up for one call.
3. Try talking to a junior attorney with lower hourly fees.
4. Negotiate and settle issues with your spouse in advance.
5. If negotiation is not possible, have your attorney negotiate a settlement outside of court.
In addition to the personal costs, divorce involves social costs for society. Experts say that each divorce costs the federal government about $30,000 in services. All governmental levels may be involved in the costs of child support enforcement, domestic violence programs, child abuse and neglect services, welfare, housing and food stamps. All of these things are direct or indirect consequences of divorce. Governments spends close to $1 billion yearly attempting to alleviate suffering and problems associated with divorce.
It is clear that most middle class families cannot afford contentious, litigated divorces.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Google
Yahoo
Technorati
What Others Have Shared ()
There are so many things to
There are so many things to consider! I would want the cheapest and easiest way out- but divorce is a lucrative business. I wonder why these lawyers cost so much? Who decided that it was appropriate to charge ridiculous prices? And what about the people in a lower income tax bracket? Are they forced to go with someone at a lower rate and perhaps not get the best help? Does an expensive lawyer equal a better divorce outcome? It makes me realize just how many businesses there are that make money off of the horrible situations that occur in people's lives. It's very disconcerting.
CM
cost of divorce attorneys
Higher attorney fees do not really mean better representation. All attorney's in taking a case are obligated to advance and protect the interest of their client. In some non-urban areas, in smaller towns, there very capable attorneys who do charge in the $200 per hour fee. Some newcomers will do a more credible job since they want to make a good impression. Best always to ask for referrals from friends and family.
The secret to having lower fee is for the two persons to make settlement agreements before going to an attorney. In fact a few attorneys may take a case for a fixed amount providing there is property settlement and custody agreement. Shop around.
Thanks
Im about to go through the divorce process, the last thing I need and want to do right now is pay out the nose for attorneys. I really appreciate this