The cost of a divorce lawyer varies greatly depending on your unique situation. Divorce can be very complex because of varying emotions and opinions about how things should be accomplished. An experienced divorce lawyer can help you navigate these complexities, and we’ll through how you much you can expect to pay for a good divorce lawyer.
What factors go into the cost of a divorce?
There is no cookie-cutter response to how much a divorce or divorce lawyer will cost because every divorce is different. Depending on the various factors of your situation, your divorce may cost more or less than average. These factors include:
- The amount of conflict there is between you and your spouse
- Whether you have children together
- The number of jointly owned assets you and your spouse have
- The number of jointly owned debts you and your spouse have
- Whether or not a business is owned by you or your spouse, or if one of you is self-employed
- Whether there is a case of domestic violence, substance abuse or incarceration
Another factor that plays a big role in the cost of divorce is whether the divorce is contested. A contested divorce occurs when you and your spouse disagree on points like child custody and how the assets you own are divided between the two of you. Contested divorces will cost more money, will take more time to finally resolve, and may cause more emotional strain on the individual and family involved.
What’s the average hourly cost of a divorce lawyer?
Nationwide, the average hourly cost of a divorce lawyer is between $200 and $300. If you pay much less than that, you may not be hiring a divorce lawyer with enough experience to walk you through the process with your interests in mind. Experienced divorce lawyers will require a fee deposit or retainer up front, but it is valuable to understand hourly costs, so you know how much you will be charged. Additionally, fee deposits or trial deposits may also be required.
What is a fee deposit?
A fee deposit in a deposit that is placed toward the divorce attorney’s time, any court fees, and other documentation you might need. Sometimes, a divorce requires more time or resources than the initial deposit and subsequent deposits are required, particularly in cases which are contested or involve more work.
How much can a divorce cost overall?
The cost of a divorce depends on a number of factors. The average cost of a divorce in the United States is $15,000, which includes the cost of a divorce lawyer and other legal expenses like filing fees. Remember that this is just the average and depending on where you and your spouse fall on the factors listed above, it could cost more or less.
Hiring a Divorce Lawyer
An experienced divorce lawyer will ensure you understand each step of the divorce process and will help it to go as smoothly as possible. It is important to select one who understands the complexities of divorce, who listens to your concerns, and who makes your case a top priority.
Scott Hamblin is an experienced divorce lawyer who is highly respected by his peers. With years of experience under his belt, Scott knows how to navigate the complexities of divorce with his clients’ best interests in mind. Contact the law office of Scott Hamblin today for excellent divorce representation in Mid-Missouri and surrounding areas.
*The choice of a lawyer is an important one and should not be based solely on advertisements.
