Getting a divorce is a heart-wrenching process that can take an emotional and financial toll. It’s also one of the most common occurrences that people of all backgrounds deal with in their lives.
In the United States, there are more than 630,000 divorces, among approximately 1.7 million marriages. If you think that divorce is in your future, hiring a lawyer should be your next step.
But how much does a divorce lawyer charge? The information below will help you learn more about the costs.
How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?
Start factoring in the cost of getting a divorce well before hiring a lawyer. This helps you take an honest look at your finances so that you can set aside however much money you will need.
Today, divorce costs people $12,000 to $15,000, on average. Most lawyers charge about $250 per hour for their services or as much as $12,000 in total.
Your attorney charges divorce fees for the work they handle on your behalf from the time your divorce is filed to the time that the ink is dry on the divorce decree.
As you might imagine, this can cause a huge variance in how much you might pay. To understand the cost as a whole, you need to consider the factors.
Consider the Fee Models
Divorce attorneys have a number of different fee structures that they work under. When you schedule a consultation with your lawyer, make sure that you’re clear on the type of fee agreement that they operate under.
The majority of lawyers charge by the hour. They will keep a running tally of their services and send you the bill each month or whichever billing cycle they operate under.
Divorce attorneys might also charge a retainer fee. This is a fee that you pay the lawyer for a certain period of time. When you’re on a retainer fee, your lawyer will work several hours handling whatever you need, as you already paid for it upfront.
Other attorneys charge a flat fee, which encompasses the entire timetable of service that they offer.
Get an Itemized List of Your Fees
Ask your lawyer to put these fees into the contract to know exactly how much you’re going to pay. The last thing you want to do is let your fees pile up without knowing what you are being charged.
Your attorney will bill you for their services with a sheet that explains the rate and gives you a list of what work has been done. It’s easier for you to plan for your finances when you have your lawyer’s fees and billing information in writing.
Decide Whether You’re Asking Your Spouse to Pay
Another significant factor to consider is whether or not you intend to pay for your own lawyer fees or if you’re going to ask your spouse to pay the cost.
During divorces, many spouses petition the courts to ask the other spouse to handle their legal costs, usually based on financial hardship or other factors. There are a variety of situations that make the court more likely to side with you, such as your income level and whether you were a stay-at-home parent.
Talk to your lawyer about these circumstances and whether they’ll play a role in your case.
Ask About Payment Plans
Make sure that you also explore payment plans. The price tag might scare you away if you’re only considering paying it all at once or in bulk. Instead, you might be pleased to learn that your attorney firm has some payment plan models that can work with your budget.
Find this out during the legal consultation and let it play into your choice of lawyers to hire.
Assess the Nature of Your Divorce
A divorce is always more expensive when it takes longer or has more complicated details to work through. Take an honest assessment of your marriage, how it is ending, and what kinds of factors are in play when dissolving your marriage.
You might file an uncontested divorce, or your spouse might be fighting you on the issue tooth and nail. A divorce might also be more expensive if the two of you run a business together or have other joint ventures or shared interests.
There are also other family law issues that might combine with your divorce, such as coming up with child custody arrangements, child support amounts, and other situations. All of these matters play a role in the type of divorce you file and how much you pay for it.
The Discretion of the Company You Hire
You have also to consider the company that you’re thinking of hiring. Some firms charge more because they are more established and in demand or operate in a larger market.
Consider the price that you’re being quoted and research the firm to make sure that they can deliver results and give you your money’s worth. Take price quotes around town and speak to other firms until you find a price tag that you find affordable and worthwhile.
Work With a Quality Divorce Lawyer
The points above are helpful when you’re trying to hire a divorce lawyer that will assist you. Hiring a lawyer is essential in helping you end your marriage and transition into your next life stage.
Use the information above no matter what types of divorce issues you have. Bookmark our site and use us as a resource for your legal knowledge.
