what does a divorce attorney cost when children are involved

by Prof. Wade Schaefer DDS 9 min read

In addition to taking more of an attorney’s time, a custody battle may require other costs, including:

  • a child custody evaluation, which could cost about $1,000-$2,500 for a county evaluator (if the judge ordered the evaluation) or as much as $10,000 and up for a private evaluator
  • a psychological evaluation (if one parent claims the other is unfit, neglectful, or mentally ill), or
  • hiring a separate attorney for an older child who has expressed a preference for living with one parent.

Readers with child-related disputes paid an average of $15,500 in total divorce costs, including $13,500 in attorneys' fees. But over half paid less than $10,000. Couples with child-related issues took an average of 15 months to complete their divorces.Oct 28, 2019

Full Answer

What are the five stages of divorce?

There are two processes in divorce. The emotional process can be broken down into 5 stages: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance.

How much is an uncontested divorce in Mo?

While many divorce lawyers charge by the hour, there are some that offer flat rate divorce services. With that said, uncontested divorces in Missouri typically range between $1,000 and $2,000.

What is the cheapest cost for a divorce?

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.

What is the average cost of a divorce in Missouri?

$13,500In fact, having minor children can cause the price of getting a divorce to go up by nearly 50%. The average cost of divorce in Missouri is $13,500, but when children are involved, that cost increases to an average of $20,200.

What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Missouri?

If you have a settlement agreement and a relatively uncomplicated case, you should be able to handle filing for divorce yourself, without hiring a lawyer. A do-it-yourself (DIY) divorce will be the cheapest route to ending your marriage.

Who gets the house in a divorce in Missouri?

Marital property is defined as all the property acquired by either spouse during the marriage. It doesn't matter whether the property is named to one spouse or both. The law assumes that a property is equally owned by both spouses if either of them acquired it after they were married.

Who pays court fees in divorce?

There appears to be a myth that the person being divorced (known as the Respondent) always pays the fees for a divorce, when in reality this is not the case in the majority of divorce cases. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Applicant) will always pay the divorce filing fee.

What is the easiest way to get divorced?

Divorce by mutual consent is considered to be the quickest and the easy way to get a divorce in India, under Section 13 B of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The process under mutual consent divorce is considered to be inexpensive and non-tortuous.

Why are divorces so expensive?

What makes a divorce so expensive has a lot to do with conflict and disagreements. Frequent miscommunication doesn't help to lower costs, either. If you can handle your case using an alternative method to litigation, you're likely to find yourself saving some money.

Does Missouri require separation before divorce?

There are no official separation requirements for divorcing couples in Missouri. They must, however, undergo a 30-day wait period after filing for divorce. The couple must live apart from each other during this wait period.

Does adultery affect divorce in Missouri?

Does Committing Adultery in Missouri Affect Whether the Court Will Grant a Divorce? Missouri is a "no-fault" divorce state. This means that adultery and other traditional fault-based grounds (reasons), like physical or mental cruelty, desertion, and substance abuse aren't required to obtain a divorce.

How long does it take to get a divorce in Missouri?

In Missouri, uncontested divorce cases can take as little as one month or as long as six months. Most cases of uncontested divorce in MO are simple and cost-effective. However, outliers do exist, so it's a good idea to consult an attorney before you begin.

How long does an uncontested divorce take in Missouri?

In Missouri, uncontested divorce cases can take as little as one month or as long as six months. Most cases of uncontested divorce in MO are simple and cost-effective.

How long does it take to get a divorce if both parties agree?

between six and nine monthsOn average the divorce usually takes between six and nine months. It is however very common to delay applying for the Decree Absolute until the financial issues have been resolved.

Is Missouri a no fault divorce state?

Missouri is a no-fault divorce state. This means that one spouse can file for divorce for any reason or for no specific reason. A spouse does not have to wait out a specific waiting period and does not have to prove that the spouse committed some form of misconduct during the marriage.

Can you get a divorce online in Missouri?

Missouri allows spouses to file for divorce online if the terms of their split are “uncontested.” In Missouri, any spouses who come to a mutual agreement about the terms of their divorce settlement can file for uncontested divorce.