Divorce can be as cheap or expensive as the divorcees warrant it. The average cost of divorce is only relevant to the way people choose to divorce as a guide line. If you choose to battle every step of the way in court and with legal teams then you are looking at a massive bill.
The same goes the other way, if you can sit down and decide without lawyers, mediators or other professionals how you wish to separate and the terms then you will be looking at a relatively small amount to lodge the necessary forms. Remember, divorce is a legal process so there is always going to be a cost associated with it.
Divorce is big business in the United States. According to maritalstatus.com, a website aimed at divorce and remarriage, divorce is a $ 28 billion a year industry with average cost of about $ 20,000.
If you are considering divorce, there are costs in the short term and long term, you should consider. Short-term costs related mainly to pay a lawyer if you decide to hire one. Long-term costs include questions of financial lifestyle.
Do-it-yourself kits for divorce
These kits typically include legal forms covering a variety of details such as personal property and real estate, child support and name changes. You lodge the completed documents with the court and may or may not have to make an appearance before a judge to explain their reasoning. If there is no dispute and a magistrate feels the documents are fair and reasonable then the divorce can become final. This is the cheapest way to divorce and can cost as little as lodgement with the court.
Getting a lawyer
Most couples hire lawyers to ensure that property, alimony, child support and other aspects of the divorce are legally looked after. That is, that both spouses have access to a professional who can give advice on the legal issues associated with the divorce and make sure that nothing is over looked in the separation of mutual assets and debts.
Most lawyers charge an hourly rate, so expect to pay between $ 100 and $ 450 per hour, says Jan Warner of Columbia, a divorce lawyer for 30 years. Some lawyers may require as little as $ 75 per hour, depending maritalstatus.com, with an up-front fee of $ 500 to $ 10,000.
A retainer is the preliminary charge you pay the attorney for his/her services. The hourly wage of the lawyer is then deducted from the retainer. After the money is consumed; you need to pay extra money to keep the lawyer on your case.
Different lawyers have different approaches to divorce and the way they handle cases. Make sure you are aware of the approach the lawyer you hire is going to take before you hire them. Ask these questions on the first visit.
Mediators, Child Specialists and Other Professionals
Being fully advised of your situation and trying other strategies to come to terms that you can both agree to sometimes can take the input of other professionals. Professionals in the financial sector or child specialist can definitely help determine what is in the best interest of everyone associated with the divorce, their fees will vary depending on the work required.
Mediators are used more and more in the divorce situation as a way to cut back on lawyers time, court time and to keep the process as amicable as possible. Mediators are not cheap when you choose your own and mediation can take hours and more than one session. Always ask the mediator for an outline of costs and how long they think your case will take.
The real cost of a divorce involves more than lawyer’s fees, court costs, and the legal agreements. Often, the major issues facing couples is a drastic reduction in income as spouses are no longer able to financially help with day to day living costs. These costs of divorce are not usually added to the legal side of the divorce costs yet they are extremely relevant to the divorce process.
How do you pay a lawyer if you do not have the money to pay your living expenses? Divorce is a transition period for more than an emotional separation of a marriage there are real practical issues that need to be looked at, especially when it comes to the costs associated with the divorce itself.
The average cost of divorce is simply a guide for you to start from, not a standard for all couples.
David Westwick is a divorce specialist and Simple Divorce Advice contributor. David and others are responsible for Win Your Divorce – The Ultimate Workbook
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Excellent info! Often people think mediators are cheaper than lawyers but in fact, they can cost just as much. It’s a bit of a catch 22 if the agreement in mediation is not legally binding.