how much does it cost to consult with a divorce attorney

by Prof. Carlie Zboncak 4 min read

Every divorce case is different. Your exact costs cannot be calculated in advance. However, on average, Divorce lawyers charge $3k - $5k just to get started on your case, and an additional $300-$500 per hour on top of that.

Average Fees for a Divorce Lawyer
It is typical for new lawyers to charge $100+/hour and experienced attorneys to charge $300+/hour. You can expect to see outlier pricing that ranges from $30 to $500/hour as well. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for.
Jul 21, 2020

Full Answer

How much do divorce coaches and consulting attorneys cost?

The average cost for a divorce is $15,000 with a divorce lawyer costing aronud $250 per hour. Hiring a divorce lawyer for representation, you will likely spend between $100 and $650 an hour. The price of a divorce attorney can vary greatly.

How much does it cost to hire a divorce lawyer?

In our survey, only one in 10 people said they had hired a consulting lawyer in their divorce. But they typically saved a lot of money on attorneys' fees; the average total fees for consulting attorneys were $4,600, and the median total was $3,000. The Cost of Divorce Without Lawyers

How much does a full-scope divorce lawyer cost?

Mar 30, 2019 · As someone going through a divorce knowing how much a divorce lawyer costs and other costs/fees can help one plan accordingly. However, one has to keep in mind that predicting the exact cost of a divorce is nearly impossible as no one case is the same. So on this page, we will try to give you a general idea of the average divorce attorney fees.

How much does a consulting attorney cost on average?

Mar 24, 2022 · Fees For An Uncontested Divorce When Working With An Attorney The average flat rate for an uncontested divorce maxes out at around $1,500. How much you pay depends largely on the number of assets vs. liabilities you have, as well as …

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Typical Hourly Rate For Divorce Attorneys

Although most people would prefer to have an attorney by their side when going through a divorce, many also worry about how much this will cost. Ev...

The Average Total Cost of Divorce

When all is said and done, what did the average person pay, in total, to get divorced? This figure includes total attorney’s fees, court costs, and...

How Long Does The Average Divorce Case take?

Another pressing question among people deciding to divorce: How long will it take? According to the results from our survey, the average time it to...

How much does a divorce cost?

The median cost of a divorce is $7,500. An uncontested divorce or one with no major contested issues costs, on average, $4,100. Disputes over child support, child custody, and alimony raise the average cost of a divorce significantly. Divorces that go to trial on two or more issues cost, on average, $23,300.

How long does it take to get divorced in NC?

Divorces take, on average, between 12 and 18 months to finalize. Filing fees range from $75 in North Carolina to $435 in California. Divorced men and women have less money in independently owned defined-contribution retirement accounts than married men and women.

How much does a divorce attorney charge per hour?

20% paid $400 or more per hour. The more complicated the divorce, the higher attorneys' fees -- especially if the proceedings take a long time or if going to trial to resolve contested issues is necessary. Some attorneys offer a flat fee, which can help you budget for your divorce case.

How much wealth does divorce cause?

And some older studies have shown that divorce causes an average 77% drop in wealth.

How many people ended their marriages in 2018?

Despite that drop in the rate, this still means hundreds of thousands of people per year end a marriage -- 782,038 in 2018.

How much does a family therapy session cost?

Family therapy for yourself or your child: Rates are typically $75 to $200 per session, according to the National Directory of Marriage and Family Counseling.

Do you have to pay a fee to dissolve a marriage?

The court must legally dissolve your marriage. You have to pay a filing fee in court for this. Filing fees vary a lot by state, with some states showing significantly higher divorce costs than others.

What is Nolo for divorce?

Nolo is in a unique position to gather information about what actually happens in divorce cases across the country. Thousands of people visit Nolo.com and other Nolo sites every day, seeking legal information about divorce and looking to connect with divorce attorneys.

Do I need an attorney for divorce?

Although most people would prefer to have an attorney by their side when going through a divorce, many also worry about how much this will cost. Even if you've called around or visited the websites of various divorce attorneys, you may still wonder if a lawyer is charging too much, or even too little ...

Do you have to give consent to a text message from Martindale-Nolo?

You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply.

How much will my divorce cost and attorney fee are questions you want to know the answers to as someone going through a divorce

1 How much will my divorce cost and attorney fee are questions you want to know the answers to as someone going through a divorce.

7 ways to reduce and keep your divorce fees low

No one divorce is the same and this is why the cost of divorce vary from one case to another. The good news is that there are some things you can do to reign the costs of your divorce which will allow you to resolve your divorce without a huge bill.

Next step? Contact us to speak with a lawyer about your case and get custom divorce fees for your case

If you still have some questions and want to speak with a lawyer regarding your divorce case, please contact us now to be connected with a family law attorney . When you call you can discuss your overall divorce costs, know how much a divorce lawyer fee will for your specific case, and your payment options.

Estimating the Legal Costs of Divorce

Attorneys bill for their work in several different ways, including charging clients by the hour and charging a flat fee for legal work that's performed. Most lawyers prefer to charge an hourly fee for work that is unpredictable in nature. Flat fee agreements are more common for simple tasks with a clearly defined scope, such as writing a will.

Filing Fees and Other Expenses

In addition to your legal fees, you'll also have to pay a fee to file for divorce. This fee varies by region, but generally costs from $100 to $400.

Keeping Costs Under Control

If you are on a tight budget, you will probably want to do everything possible to minimize expenses associated with your divorce. Don't be embarrassed to discuss your financial situation with your attorney and let him or her know if money is tight. Your lawyer may be able to suggest ways to help you cut costs during your divorce.

What Is a Divorce Coach?

A divorce coach is different from an attorney and different from a therapist. A divorce coach won’t offer you legal advice and isn’t a substitute for hiring a traditional divorce attorney in your case. Instead, the best way to describe a divorce coach’s role is “mentor.”

Do I Need a Divorce Coach?

So you’ve already hired an attorney and now you’re wondering if you need a divorce coach. Divorce coaches usually work with attorneys to help clients sift through what’s important to them in a divorce.

Should I Consider Using a Consulting Attorney?

If you don't believe you need any legal advice at all, theoretically you can represent yourself in court on all the legal aspects of your case and rely on your divorce coach for non-legal issues. However, this is not typically recommended.

How Much Do Divorce Coaches and Consulting Attorneys Cost?

In a survey we took of our readers who had recently been through a divorce, the average hourly rate paid for a consulting attorney was $230, and the average total fee was about $4,600.

Why is divorce so expensive?

dividing larger amounts of property. Other reasons for higher costs in divorce proceedings are when one party files for cause. In this case, it is often necessary for them to prove the fault of the party filed against. These include causes such as cruelty, adultery, desertion, or alcoholism.

What is the rule of thumb for alimony?

Having minor children, alimony issues, or property division issues. A good rule of thumb is the more property involved, the more expensive the proceedings. Alimony issues often revolve around disputes concerning the amount the payer earns or the amount deemed necessary for the proposed payee.

How much does divorce cost in Connecticut?

The average cost of a divorce in Connecticut is about $15,500, but varies from a range of about $5000 to $34,000.

How many marriages end in divorce?

The sad truth is that between 40% and 50% of all marriages wind up in divorce. Divorce laws are complex and vary in each state. And each situation is different.

Is there a one size fits all divorce?

Like almost everything else, there is no one size fits all when it comes to divorce. Divorce fees are usually built upon the issues and complexity involved in each particular case. Here are some interesting facts and figures from the most recent Martindale-Nolo research:

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Estimating The Legal Costs of Divorce

Filing Fees and Other Expenses

  • In addition to your legal fees, you'll also have to pay a fee to file for divorce. This fee varies by region, but generally costs from $100 to $400. Your attorney should be able to provide an estimate of other fees you may incur. These vary from case to case, and can include: 1. The cost of a mediator and accountant, if necessary 2. Photocopying, s...
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Keeping Costs Under Control

  • If you are on a tight budget, you will probably want to do everything possible to minimize expenses associated with your divorce. Don't be embarrassed to discuss your financial situation with your attorney and let him or her know if money is tight. Your lawyer may be able to suggest ways to help you cut costs during your divorce. If your attorney bills by the hour, it's also importa…
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