Picking the wrong divorce lawyer to handle your divorce is not something you want to do, and there’s a good reason for that. Divorce isn’t cheap.
A bad divorce can bankrupt a family and even ruin lives. It might even rob your children of their future. So, if you’re wondering how much does a divorce cost, you’re far from alone. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy question to answer considering the factors involved and the ways it can go down. However, this article will take a look into this so that you hopefully walk away with more information and knowledge than you had previously.
You have to first consider that divorces are similar to snowflakes, in that no two prove identical to each other. Many factors can determine the cost of the divorce, but four primary ones include the state or municipality in which you live, the levels of conflict or cooperation between your spouse and yourself, the method of divorce you use, and the professional you use.
The actual costs of a divorce often break down along the lines of the kind of divorce you get. The first kind is a DIY divorce, or do it yourself, where everything is handled in the couple splitting up without outside professionals. The only fees then involved are for paperwork and filings, and so the total for this kind of divorce can run from $300 to $1,500.
A new and common option similar to a DIY divorce is getting an Internet divorce using a software program or website, not unlike how many choose to now do their taxes. This kind of divorce can cost as little as $600 but maybe as much as $1,800.
If you do need someone involved in the process, then a divorce mediator might enter the picture to referee the process. This kind of divorce starts getting decidedly more expensive, as it can run several thousand dollars.
If a joint mediator isn’t going to work, and each of you winds up needing an attorney or lawyer, then you could be looking at anywhere from $14,000 to $35,000 in total fees and costs. There are ways to possibly minimize how much a lawyer would charge you, but many will want retainers of several thousand to possibly even ten grand, just to take on a divorce case, and their hourly rates might run several hundred dollars to boot.
Divorce is a situation and experience that is very personal to who is going through it. Every set of circumstances is unique, and there’s no silver bullet solution for all situations.
You might have a co-worker or friend tell you of a particular method that worked for you, but there are no assurances that it might serve you too. On the other hand, a particular option that didn’t work for someone else might prove viable for you.
It’s crucial to put the time in learn all your options and contrast them with each other. Also, don’t use the cheapest option just because it’s the cheapest option. There is simply too much at stake.
