Every divorce carries different circumstances, and every divorce will also carry a different bill. Divorce can get expensive, ranging from $300 to tens of thousands of dollars. There are a lot of factors that make this determination, and once you understand those, you can approximate the amount you’ll end up paying for your divorce.
Your Divorce Attorney
Divorce attorneys typically charge by the hour, and if your case is complicated, there could be a lot of hours involved. For some of the most well-respected and experienced attorneys, you could pay upwards near $500 per hour or more. If your divorce attorney happens to charge a flat rate, it typically doesn’t include the trial or other court and service fees. The best way to determine how much your attorney will cost is by speaking with the attorney yourself and getting answers to your questions.
Court and Service Fees
In addition to the court costs and service fees you’ll be required to pay, there are typically other small costs that come up. Court costs might be a few hundred dollars to file your petition and serving the documents to your spouse could be around $100. It varies from state to state, and if your spouse is difficult to locate, those costs could go up.
Mediation
Sometimes a court will require mediation, and other times the couple will request it. This is to help the couple work out an agreement without having to go to court. During mediation, you will discuss the division of assets and property, child custody, child support, alimony, and other important details.
This will add to the cost of your divorce in one of two ways. In some situations, a mediator is present with both spouses, and they each have to pay a portion of the cost of the mediator. In other situations, each party sits with his or her attorney, which adds to the hours the attorney spends on the case, thus increasing the final cost.
Getting Started With an Attorney
If you are certain you’re ready for divorce, it could greatly help you to have the assistance of an attorney. There are a lot of costs associated with divorce, and it can get quite expensive, but if you have an idea of the costs you’re looking at, it could make the entire situation easier. To learn more or to get started with your divorce, contact a family attorney, like a family attorney in Tampa, FL, today.
Thank you to the experts at The McKinney Law Group for their insight into family law and contacting a lawyer.