QandAs: Legal

How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

Answer:
Depending on your situation, getting a divorce

can be quick, easy, and inexpensive - or extremely complex and quite costly. Another consideration is the emotional expense of divorce for all parties – especially children.

As far as financial expenses are concerned, here are a few facts:

*You usually get what you pay for – whether that’s an “online” form to file for a “do-it-yourself” divorce or a professional attorney schooled in family law.

*Legal fees for lawyers can range from $100 an hour to $1,000 an hour or more depending upon their level of expertise. Costs vary from state to state.

* A simple “uncontested” divorce, if you have no property or children, will cost around $1000 – about $500 for each person.

* A "contested"divorce is more expensive due to the complexity of matters your lawyer may have to address - such as disbursement of marital property or custody of any minor children.

*The cooperation between all parties and the expertise of all lawyers will certainly affect the total expenses in a divorce case.