It is tricky to pin a price on a divorce case because of the various fees and the actions of both parties. Based on the facts of your case, we will try to estimate a cost for an initial retainer. Because we quote on the conservative side, you could owe a refurbishing retainer if you use up the initial retainer. Divorces could cost from $2,500 and up, depending on the circumstances.
Fees Involved in Divorce Cases
Part of the cost of a divorce is the fees involved. You don’t only have attorney’s fees. The different prices depend on your circumstances, but everyone pays the court filing fee and the process server fee. The payment goes directly to the court and process server, respectively.
You might also have additional fees such as:
- Expert witness fees.
- Investigative fees.
- Costs for home studies and psychological evaluations.
- Business evaluation fees, including forensic accountant fees.
- Residential or business property appraisals.
- Forensic accountant fees and other fees are involved in evaluating your spouse’s earning capacity.
Court Motions and Hearings
Everyone hopes that the divorce will go smoothly. However, when you and your spouse cannot agree on some things, you might end up in court before the final hearing. For example, if you do not “play fair,” the injured spouse can ask the court for an order. Common orders include:
- Temporary child support
- Temporary spousal support
- Wasting assets
- Sharing medical expenses for the children
- Keeping a health insurance policy in force for the children
- Substance abuse while the abusing parent has the minor children
- Domestic violence
- Custody and visitation arguments (time-sharing)
These are just some of the things that spouses sometimes cannot agree upon. If you need immediate relief, your attorney files a motion with the court, and the court hears the motion and enters an order.
The cost for filing extra motions is broken down as follows:
- The cost for the attorney to meet with you to discuss the issue.
- The cost to draft the motion and schedule the hearing.
- The cost to prepare for and attend the hearing.
- The cost to prepare the proposed order, forward it to the other spouse’s attorney for review, make changes if necessary, and deliver it to the court with a cover letter.
- The cost for reviewing the signed order and discussing it with you.
While each cost might not be much money, it does add up, especially when you have several motions before the court. However, in cases where your spouse is uncooperative, and you need to ensure they do not violate your rights, you need to obtain court orders.
Contact an Arcadia Divorce Attorney
While you hope the divorce goes smoothly, you cannot control your spouse’s actions. Hopefully, all will go smoothly, but you need an experienced divorce attorney to represent your rights if it doesn’t.
If you are ready to file for divorce or if your spouse served you with divorce, contact an Arcadia divorce lawyer for a consultation to discuss your expectations and rights.
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