what is the average cost of a divorce in georgia attorney fees

Average total costs for Georgia divorce lawyers are $10,500 to $12,700 but typically are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. Divorce is often expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.

Full Answer

How much does it cost to get divorce in Georgia?

The short answer is the average cost is between $10,000 and 20,000 with Georgia divorce attorney hourly rates ranging from $200 to $600. But a more detailed answer is below. In general, Georgia divorce lawyers charge between $200 and $600 per hour. Divorce lawyers in the metro Atlanta, Georgia area may charge more than in more rural counties.

How can you get a divorce free in Georgia?

Aug 18, 2020 · Average total costs for Georgia divorce lawyers are $10,500 to $12,700 but typically are significantly lower in cases with no contested issues. Divorce is often expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.

How long does a divorce take to become final in Georgia?

Aug 16, 2021 · You can choose a divorce attorney in Georgia who offers a free consultation. Consultations allow you to interact with several attorneys and then decide which attorney is the right fit for you. Court costs and filing fees are typically in addition to the retainer and flat rates. Filing fees for a divorce are approximately $200, but this varies ...

Can you get divorce in Ga without husband?

May 01, 2018 · There are other common factors that will continue to increase the costs of your divorce in Atlanta, such as divorce lawyer fees. Attorney Fees. Divorce Attorneys in Atlanta charge anywhere from around $50 per hour to upwards of $700 depending on where you live and the divorce attorney’s experience, credibility, reputation, etc., though you ...

How much does a divorce cost in GA?

It is impossible to fully predict the cost of a divorce in Georgia because so many factors depend on the individual situation. The average cost is around $10,000, with costs running higher if you have children or cannot agree on the divorce terms.Jul 15, 2020

How much is a uncontested divorce in GA?

Georgia filing fees for an uncontested divorce are generally around $200, and for an additional fee, the sheriff or an appointee from the court can deliver your petition to your spouse.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Georgia?

Our law firm's Atlanta divorce lawyers are often asked if it makes a difference whether you file first for divorce in Georgia. The short answer is yes it can matter. In general, there are slight strategic advantages to filing first.

How long does divorce take in Georgia?

about 45 to 60 daysThe average timeline for most no-fault divorces in Georgia is about 45 to 60 days. There is a mandatory 30-day waiting period after the petitioner files a Complaint. For fault divorces, the timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case and can be anywhere between 6 months and a year.

What is the flat rate for divorce?

If you and your spouse have reached an agreement concerning the major issues in your divorce, a divorce attorney may offer a flat rate to memorialize your agreement properly, prepare all required documentation and finalize your divorce. In uncontested cases, you may have the option of a flat-rate. Uncontested cases allow the attorney to more accurately estimate the time for your case from the onset. However, in an uncontested divorce, the rate may be higher if your case involves children. In cases with children, there is additional paperwork that must be prepared and filed with the court.

What is retainer in divorce?

A retainer is the more common fee structure that divorce attorneys use. When an attorney is unsure how much time they will spend on a case, a retainer fee structure is easier . If you have child custody issues or complicated financial matters in dispute, you can expect a higher initial retainer. If the initial retainer is depleted before the divorce is able to be finalized, an additional retainer will be required.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Georgia?

The initial filing fee to start a divorce action in Georgia can range anywhere from less than $100 to more than $500.

How much does a divorce attorney charge in Atlanta?

Divorce Attorneys in Atlanta charge anywhere from around $50 per hour to upwards of $700 depending on where you live and the divorce attorney’s experience, credibility, reputation, etc., though you can probably expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of $250 per hour as a general average. You should also note that just because an attorney charges more does not mean they are better. However, there’s a fine line between over paying for a divorce attorney in Georgia and getting a cheap divorce lawyer that isn’t an expert with the Georgia divorce laws.

How long can you have spousal support?

In marriages of short duration, less than ten years, the length of spousal support is limited to one-half the length of marriage. There is minimal controversy concerning this law. In fact, the certainty of the law serves to guide expedient spousal support settlements.

What happens if you and your spouse own a business together?

If you and your spouse own a business together, you may be forced to sell the business, buy them out of their equity of the business, or provide them with cash flow from the business. It’s sometimes difficult, depending on the length of the marriage, to determine what property is marital and what property is separate.

Is a gift or inheritance considered separate property in Georgia?

Property acquired before the marriage, or by gift or inheritance, is considered separate property. The question of whether a spouse’s gift or inheritance has remained separated property is highly fact-intensive, and the Georgia divorce courts must weigh the evidence and make the determination of who gets what in the divorce. However, even property that is separate can be subject to division in lieu of alimony and in other extraordinary situations when equity so demands.

Is divorce easier in Georgia?

Divorces that are ‘by the books’ are easy divorces and can mitigate how much a divorce costs. Making your divorce more complex will only increase how much it is to get a divorce. Some of the ways that divorce in Georgia can become more complex are discussed below.

Can divorce be stressful?

Divorces most certainly can be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. You may lose your house, your kids, your loved ones, your retirement savings, and anything else that your divorce attorneys can cook up.

How much does it cost to get divorced in Metro Atlanta?

Our fee for an uncontested divorce with minor children in Metro Atlanta is $1,225.

How to get an uncontested divorce in Georgia?

To have an uncontested Georgia divorce , you and your spouse must agree on all essential issues in advance of filing the divorce proceedings. Basically, this means that you both sign a marital Settlement Agreement and all other documents necessary to file the uncontested divorce.

Do you have to sign an uncontested divorce agreement?

Instead, your spouse simply signs a document acknowledging receipt of the uncontested divorce paperwork that we prepare for you. If you and your spouse do not agree on the issues in a Settlement Agreement, you do not have an uncontested divorce.

Can you serve your spouse in Georgia?

Using our process for a Georgia uncontested divorce, your spouse will not be “served” by the Sheriff . Serving your spouse adds to the cost (at least $50) and aggravation of a divorce so we eliminate it. Instead, your spouse simply signs a document acknowledging receipt of the uncontested divorce paperwork that we prepare for you.

Is a divorce uncontested?

Of course, that assumes that you start with the plan and desire that your divorce is going to be uncontested. If you start the process as a contested case and then later settle it as an uncontested divorce, the cost will be much higher – basically the same as a contested divorce.

Does Georgia require e-filing for divorce?

Since January 1, 2019 a new Georgia law has been in effect that affected court costs somewhat. Not only are we be required to e-file all of our divorce cases but the law also changes the way that courts and e-filing companies can charge for the costs of e-fi ling.

Is divorce expensive in Georgia?

Let’s face it: A divorce can be expensive. But, it does not have to be. Using our process, you can be divorced in less time that you might imagine and at a lower cost than what you thought possible. And, you can have an experienced Georgia divorce attorney handle it all for you so that you have a quality but inexpensive Georgia divorce.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Georgia?

Generally, the cost to file a Complaint for Divorce in Georgia ranges from $200.00 to $220.00. This fee must be paid to the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the divorce case is initiated. In addition to this fee, a service fee must also be paid. This fee is the cost to have your spouse served with the divorce papers by the Sheriff's department. In almost every county in Georgia, the service fee is around $50.00.

What is a pauper's affidavit?

If you are unable to these fees necessary to initiate a divorce here in Georgia, you may file an Affidavit of Indigence or Poverty Affidavit (some counties also refer to this as a Pauper's Affidavit). This affidavit asks the Court to waive the mandatory filing fee, service fee and other court costs associated with filing for divorce in Georgia. Although this option is available, it is important to note that these requests are not automatically granted, and you will have to show proof of your income to ensure that you meet to qualification to have these fees waived. Additionally, in most counties the court will only grant these requests if you are representing yourself (pro se) or if you are represented by a pro bono attorney.

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 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 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 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.

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 ...