The Cost of a Divorce
Each family law case is different and no case is typical. Your legal fees will differ in each case depending upon the following factors:
- Whether children are involved
- Spousal support issues
- Dispute over child custody
- Dispute over parenting time
- Non marital property issues
- Pension or 401(k) divisions
- Difficult spouse or opposing attorney
- Refusal to comply with informal discovery
- Number of court appearances required
- Trial preparation and contested trial
Example Fees
One third of divorces cost $2,000 to $5,000
Cases with uncomplicated assets and debts. No dispute over custody or parenting time. Both spouses are self supporting. Parties want to settle amicably.
One third of divorces cost $5,000 to $10,000
Cases where parties cannot agree on all issues. Dispute over parenting time and/or support. Court appearances necessary. Valuations and/or evaluations necessary.
One third of divorces cost more than $10,000
Highly contentious divorce. Parties disagree on major or all issues. Multiple court appearances necessary. Difficult discovery of income and assets. Trial preparation and/or trial necessary.
Priest Law Firm, Ltd. Offers:
- Free initial consultations
- Reasonable hourly rates
- Payment plans
- Flexible retainer options
- Military discount
The Cost of Proceeding Without a Lawyer
Many people want to pay the least amount of money they can to obtain a divorce or resolve a family law matter. Following is an example of the real cost for a divorce isn't handled appropriately:
Facts
- Jim and Betty were married for 12 years.
- They have two children, ages 5 and 8.
- Jim works full time and earns $65,000 a year.
- Betty works part time and earns $12,000 a year.
- Jim and Betty own a house worth $250,000 with a $120,000 mortgage.
- The house was purchased for $165,000 with down payment of $16,500.
- The down payment came from Betty's house that she sold before
she got married. - Jim has a 401(k) worth $80,000.
- Betty has no retirement benefits.
- Jim has health insurance for the entire family through his employment.
- Jim and Betty pay $350 a month for child care.
Jim and Betty agreed not to fight over their divorce and use a paralegal service to prepare the documents they need to get divorced based upon the following agreement:
- The parties will share joint legal custody of the children.
- Betty will have sole physical custody of the children.
- Jim will have parenting time as agreed.
- No spousal maintenance.
- Jim will pay child support of $800 a month until there is only one child and support will drop to $500 a month.
- Jim will maintain health insurance for the children.
- The house will be sold and the net proceeds will be divided 50/50.
- All personal property will be equally divided as agreed.
Jim didn't talk about how much was in his retirement account or how to divide it. Betty did not understand that she had a non-marital interest in the house. The parties never talked about childcare expenses.
Potential Losses to Betty
- Non marital claim in house: $25,000
- Interest in retirement account: $40,000
- Difference in support paid for 2 children at $800 instead of $1,081: $33,720
- Difference in support paid for 1 child at $500 instead of $682: $6,552
- 84% of the annual childcare costs $2,646 per year
Total Potential Losses $107,918
Experience when it matters most.
