average cost when prepared by an attorney uncontested dissolution in washington state

by Kelli Adams 9 min read

If the divorcing parties meet this criterion, they are in luck (in a sense)—an uncontested divorce is much less expensive than the contested variety. Most agreed divorce services in Washington State charge between $500 and $700 including the $300+ court filing fee.

Attorney's Fees
In Washington state, the cost of a divorce lawyer is between $250 and $285 per hour. Average divorce attorney prices are $10,500 to $12,000 for the whole marriage dissolution, but the mutual divorce cost will be significantly lower, averaging at around $5,000.

Full Answer

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Washington?

If the divorcing parties meet this criterion, they are in luck (in a sense)—an uncontested divorce is much less expensive than the contested variety. Most agreed divorce services in Washington State charge between $500 and $700 including the $300+ court filing fee.

How much does an agreed divorce service cost?

Uncontested Divorce—Cheap Divorce in Washington State. In a friendly or uncontested divorce, the husband and wife mutually agree on the terms of the divorce. This type of divorce is less expensive and less stressful compared to a contested one. On average, an uncontested divorce might cost between $500 and $700, including the divorce filing fee.

Is an uncontested divorce cheaper than a contested?

The Uncontested Divorce Process in Washington State. An uncontested divorce is simple, but it has several rules. ... it costs less than a lawyer, is usually quicker, and most of them give a 100% court-approval guarantee. ... The date the judge signs the Decree of Dissolution will be the date of the final divorce.

How much does it cost to hire a divorce lawyer?

Attorney’s Fees. In Washington state, the cost of a divorce lawyer is between $250 and $285 per hour. Average divorce attorney prices are $10,500 to $12,000 for the whole marriage dissolution, but the mutual divorce cost will be significantly lower, averaging at around $5,000.

How much does it cost to get an uncontested divorce in Washington State?

Most uncontested divorces filed in Washington State cost between $500 and $700. You will also need to pay an additional court filing fee of around $300. This also doesn't take into account the cost of attorney or mediation fees if required.Sep 18, 2020

Do I have to go to court for uncontested divorce?

The Divorce Process In order to get divorced, there is generally no need to go to court at all. ... In an uncontested divorce therefore, whilst it is not possible to get divorced without the court, it is extremely rare to have to go to court in order to get divorced.

How much is a divorce if both parties agree?

If both parties agree on all major issues, known as an uncontested divorce, you can keep the costs relatively low. If you do your own divorce papers and your divorce is amicable, costs could be under $500. Of course, there are filing fees in all states, which increase the cost.

How much does a lawyer cost in Washington state?

How much do lawyers charge in Washington? The typical lawyer in Washington charges between $175 and $378 per hour. Costs vary depending on the type of lawyer, so review our lawyer rates table to find out the average cost to hire an attorney in Washington.

Do you have to pay court fees for a divorce?

Do you have to pay court fees for your divorce? There is no point in paying a court fee to file the divorce unless you absolutely have to.

What is the average cost of divorce in Washington State?

approximately $13,400The average cost of divorce in Washington state is approximately $13,400. However, if the couple has children, the expenses can reach $20, 000. The costs also depend on such factors as level of conflict, need for property division, alimony requests, lawyer's or mediator's fees, etc.

How do I file an uncontested divorce in Washington State?

Below are the four basic steps in getting an uncontested divorce in Washington State:Complete divorce forms. The divorce process begins with the divorce form or petition for divorce. ... File divorce papers with the court. ... Serve your spouse with the divorce papers. ... Sign and file final divorce documents.

Can you divorce if both parties agree?

You might be able to get divorced without needing a solicitor or going to court if you and your ex-partner can agree you both want a divorce, and on the reason why. ... If you agree on your divorce and the reasons why, getting a divorce legally finalised will usually take 4 to 6 months.

Can I get a quick divorce?

Here's how to get an uncontested, quick divorce; Communicate with your spouse throughout the process. Find your marriage certificate before starting divorce proceedings. Find valid grounds for divorce and agree with your spouse. Ask your spouse to promptly complete and return paperwork.

What is contingency fee basis?

What are contingent fees? A client pays a contingent fee to a lawyer only if the lawyer handles a case successfully. ... In a contingent fee arrangement, the lawyer agrees to accept a fixed percentage (often one-third to 40 percent) of the recovery, which is the amount finally paid to the client.Dec 3, 2020

How much do lawyers charge per hour?

Average Attorney FeesAttorney FeesHourly RatesNational Average Cost$225Minimum Cost$100Maximum Cost$1,000Average Range$100 to $300

Is LegalShield a good deal?

If you want the security of knowing that you can quickly get a response from a lawyer if you ever need it, LegalShield is a good choice. For a reasonable monthly fee, you can access a lawyer at a leading law firm and get targeted help on specific problem areas for small businesses, such as debt collection.Sep 17, 2020

How do you fill out a marriage settlement agreement?

Make sure you have all of the basic information and divorce forms you need according to the divorce laws in your state. Make sure you have all of t...

Does a marital settlement agreement need to be notarized?

You need to have your written agreement notarized. Make sure, when you sign the agreement, that you understand everything you are agreeing to. This...

Is a marital settlement agreement legally binding?

Marital Settlement Agreements, reached between the parties in writing and signed by the parties, become legally binding when approved by the court...

How do I file for divorce online in Washington state?

Filing: When you use OnlineDivorce.com, we help you fill out your divorce paperwork using a simple online questionnaire. You can fill it out alone...

What happens after marital settlement agreement?

Once an agreement has been reached, both parties will sign the settlement, and it will be forwarded to a judge who will incorporate the agreement i...

Can an uncontested divorce be reversed?

Can uncontested divorces be reversed? Divorces cannot generally be reversed after that the judge has already signed off and finalized everything.If...

Can I write my own settlement agreement?

Some people wonder if they can save even more by money by writing their own settlement agreement and not seeking the help of a divorce attorney at...

How do I fill out Washington State divorce papers?

An uncontested divorce in Washington State takes an average of three months to complete. Contrastingly, a contested divorce can easily take twelve...

How much does it cost to file divorce papers in Washington?

Just to file for divorce in Washington, it costs roughly $350. (This includes fees for filing, a judicial surcharge, and court facilitator costs.)...

What is uncontested divorce?

We should begin by defining the term ‘uncontested’. In this context, uncontested means the parties (husband and wife) settle at the outset of the case. By way of further clarification, it does NOT simply mean the parties agree to a divorce. To be uncontested, the parties must reach agreement on EACH AND EVERY TERM AT THE DATE THE DIVORCE PETITION IS FILED. This is because an agreed petition (petition and joinder) delineates the terms of the settlement, such who receives what assets, who pays what debts, and the amount of alimony.

Is an uncontested divorce less expensive than a contested divorce?

If the divorcing parties meet this criterion, they are in luck (in a sense)—an uncontested divorce is much less expensive than the contested variety.

Divorce-Related Fees in Washington State

There are several divorce-related fees in Washington State. A breakdown of the costs is provided in the table below:

The Basics of the Washington State Uncontested Divorce

Before filing for divorce in Washington, you should get acquainted with state laws, as explained in the list below:

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How to get divorced without a divorce decree?

Therefore, if you are going for a DIY option, you need to understand what exactly you are signing up for: 1 First of all, make sure that you are in fact eligible for uncontested dissolution. You and your spouse need to be in full agreement on asset division, childcare, and other aspects of your divorce 2 Visit the website of the state to look for the divorce-related information. If you have children, check the guidelines on custody and child support calculations. Also, find out if you need to attend any parenting classes. 3 Find and choose the Washington state divorce forms required for your case. Make sure they are up-to-date, have no watermarks, and there are no mistakes in the questions. 4 Go through each form carefully and fill it out. It is very important to check any unfamiliar term during this stage as making a mistake would imply refilling the documents all over again. 5 Check what fields in the forms should be left blank for a court clerk to fill out. Also, before you sign anything, make sure you do not need to do it in front of a notary.

How to file for divorce in Washington state?

When trying to understand how to file for divorce in Washington state, couples usually receive advice to visit a lawyer. It is definitely the best course of action for a contested divorce, where you will ask a judge to make divorce-related decisions for you and your spouse. In such a case, a lawyer will advocate for you during a trial and help you get the best outcome out of your marriage dissolution. However, if you are planning to have an uncontested marriage dissolution and have already come to an agreement with your spouse regarding it, hiring a lawyer is not a necessity. Therefore, you can save an incredible amount of money by getting help with your paperwork online.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Washington?

Legal Fees. Unlike in other states, where the fees can reach almost $500, the Washington state divorce filing fees are just $280 . However, you might have to cover some extra costs like a delivery service or photocopying.

How much does a divorce attorney cost in Washington?

In Washington state, the cost of a divorce lawyer is between $250 and $285 per hour. Average divorce attorney prices are $10,500 to $12,000 for the whole marriage dissolution, but the mutual divorce cost will be significantly lower, averaging at around $5,000. The main thing you should take into account when calculating the cost of legal services is that the more issues have to be resolved by an attorney and the judge, the more expensive the divorce will be. Reaching an agreement together with your spouse will help you to significantly lower the costs.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost?

Even if you decide to get a lawyer, you will likely have to pay them about $4,000-$5,000, which is around $10,000 less than in a contested case.

How long does it take to get divorced?

As such cases rarely get resolved in one sitting, and it takes time to schedule hearings, it may take a few months or even years to legally end your marriage. Generally, divorce requires a lot of time and effort.

What is an uncontested divorce in Washington?

An uncontested divorce is an amicable divorce. It allows#R##N# you and your spouse to end your marriage on peaceful terms through a #R##N#negotiated resolution saves both time and month. A Washington #R##N#uncontested divorce is by far the simplest, easiest, least painful, and #R##N#least expensive way to obtain a WA divorce decree. Let us handle everything.

What to consider when hiring an uncontested divorce attorney in WA?

When considering who to hire to assist you with your WA uncontested divorce, it is important to consider whether they have resources and the experience to properly ensure that the final orders in your case are tailored to meet your specific needs.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Washington?

Just to file for divorce in Washington, it costs roughly $350. (This includes fees for filing, a judicial surcharge, and court facilitator costs.) From there, you have to serve your spouse. If you hire a lawyer, they can handle that, likely for a fee, or you can use an outside process server.

What forms are needed for divorce?

There are two forms that are required for every divorce: Confidential Information Form and a. Certificate of Dissolution – Vital Statistics form.

Can you get off scot free?

No matter how clear-cut and uncomplicated your divorce, you still can’t get off scot-free. In this day and age, it’s easier than ever to download the forms, fill them out yourself, file them, and be done. But even if you take a do-it-yourself approach, you have to pay.

What happens after dividing assets?

After dividing the shared assets, if financial need or a large gap in earning potential still exists, the court may award spousal support. The court may take into account factors like:

Do divorces require experts?

The cost of a complex divorce will be impacted by the necessity of experts. Many cases don’t require experts, but for those that do, it can be an expensive proposition.

What happens after divorce?

TaxesMany people often fail to consider the impact of taxes in post-divorce life. After finalizing your divorce, your filing status changes.

Do you pay child support if you have children?

If you have children, and you’re not the custodial parent, you’ll likely pay child support. Designed to provide for the continuing care and well-being of your kids, and cover the basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing, the parent with the most overnights usually receives the payments from the other.

How do you fill out a marriage settlement agreement?

Make sure you have all of the basic information and divorce forms you need according to the divorce laws in your state. Make sure you have all of the personal information you need. Include a statement that you and the other party are in agreement with the contents of the document.

Does a marital settlement agreement need to be notarized?

You need to have your written agreement notarized. Make sure, when you sign the agreement, that you understand everything you are agreeing to. This type of agreement is often called a marital settlement agreement or MSA.

Is a marital settlement agreement legally binding?

Marital Settlement Agreements, reached between the parties in writing and signed by the parties, become legally binding when approved by the court at the time of the final court hearing.Once approved by the court, such post judgment stipulations do become legally binding and enforceable between the parties.

How do I file for divorce online in Washington state?

Filing: When you use OnlineDivorce.com, we help you fill out your divorce paperwork using a simple online questionnaire. You can fill it out alone or with the assistance of your spouse. Then, you will need to get a signature from your spouse and you can file the divorce forms with your local court.

What happens after marital settlement agreement?

Once an agreement has been reached, both parties will sign the settlement, and it will be forwarded to a judge who will incorporate the agreement into the final divorce decree.Usually, an attorney will need to file a motion immediately, and present an argument to the court about why the agreement should be rescinded.

Can an uncontested divorce be reversed?

Can uncontested divorces be reversed? Divorces cannot generally be reversed after that the judge has already signed off and finalized everything.If it was an uncontested divorce, it will be easier for the parties to come together and agree on what needs to be changed.

Can I write my own settlement agreement?

Some people wonder if they can save even more by money by writing their own settlement agreement and not seeking the help of a divorce attorney at all. While there is no legal requirement that you have a lawyer draft your settlement agreement, it is certainly a good idea to do so.

How to pay retainer fees?

Make sure that your contract includes the details of: 1 Contract – The agreement should list the total amount of any retainer deposit that you pay upfront. It should also state when you need to pay additional fees, if necessary. 2 Hourly Fee – Don't look only for the hourly rate of your lawyer on the agreement. Make sure you also see a description of the different hourly rates for each person who might contribute to your case. Ask for your payment schedule. Ask if you get a discount for early payment or if you pay penalties for late fees. 3 Contingency Fee – In a contingency case, the lawyer profits by the percentage they earn upon winning the case. The lawyer's contingency percentage and the payment-collection process should appear clearly outlined in your agreement. Sometimes, a lawyer will not collect any fees from you if they lose a contingency case, such as in personal injury disputes. In other situations, they may demand payment from their client only if they lose the case. 4 Costs of Suit – Check for clear terms to describe who pays for all of the different litigation costs involved. You should anticipate possible charges for court appearances and filing fees, hiring a private investigator, the cost of bringing in an expert witness, costs for officially serving and delivering legal documents, and travel fees.

How to avoid disagreements with your attorney?

Either way, most states require evidence of a written fee agreement when handling any disputes between clients and lawyers. You must have written evidence of what you agreed to pay for anyone to hold you accountable for what you have or have not spent.

What is contingency fee?

An attorney contingency fee is only typical in a case where you're claiming money due to circumstances like personal injury or workers' compensation. You're likely to see attorney percentage fees in these situations to average around a third of the total legal settlement fees paid to the client.

Do lawyers charge retainers?

Sometimes lawyers may charge a retainer if they find themselves in high demand. Other lawyers who work more quickly and efficiently may see no need for charging you a retainer fee. Call different lawyers in your area to see if retainers are standard practice for your particular case.

What is statutory fee?

A statutory fee is a payment determined by the court or laws which applies to your case. You'll encounter a fixed statutory fee when dealing with probate or bankruptcy, for example.

What to ask when hiring an attorney?

When hiring your attorney, ask for a detailed written estimate of any expenses or additional costs. They may itemize each expense out for you or lump their fees all together under different categories of work. Lawyers may bill you for: Advice. Research.