who pays attorney fees in a divorce

by Lawrence Friesen 9 min read

Traditionally, the parties each pay for their own attorney in a divorce suit. The spouses are not allowed to share an attorney, so each party must provide their own attorney for the legal process. This means that each party will be responsible for paying attorney’s fees according to the terms worked out with their own lawyers.

As a general rule, a wife cannot force her husband to pay for their divorce. Each party in the divorce action pays for his or her attorney fees and costs.

Full Answer

Can my spouse make me pay her divorce attorney fees?

Apr 08, 2021 · In most cases, each party pays their divorce fees. It is important to note that the spouses are not allowed to have one divorce attorney for the entire legal process. This means each spouse is responsible for paying legal fees according to what they agree on …

How much does it cost to get a divorce attorney?

Apr 16, 2019 · In the majority of divorce cases, each party is responsible for their own legal fees There are a few exceptions to this rule but when you file for divorce, or when your spouse files, you should expect to pay for your own attorney. You can petition your spouse to pay your attorney fees if: You are a dependent spouse, such as a stay-at-home-parent, with little or no income. In …

Do I still have to pay my divorce attorney fees?

Sep 24, 2019 · Yes and no, depending on several factors set forth by statute and case law. Divorce statutes in Arizona give a judge discretion to order one spouse to pay all or some of the other spouse’s legal fees and costs during a divorce. Other statutes set forth circumstances where a judge is required to order an award of legal fees, e.g. as a sanction for specific …

Why should I hire a divorce attorney?

In addition to court-ordered awards for attorney fees, the spouses themselves can form their own agreement on who pays. This type of agreement is most commonly seen in post-judgment divorce and paternity actions over child custody and support issues, with the loser deemed responsible for reasonable fees.

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Which party pays for a divorce?

The petitionerThe petitioner always pays the divorce fees Initially, the person filing for the divorce (known as the Petitioner) will always pay the divorce filing fee. The court fees are paid to the court to prove the administration for the divorce process.

Does the respondent have to pay for divorce?

It is the responsibility of the petitioner to pay the costs when they initially file for divorce. However, the petitioner can ask the respondent to pay for some or all the costs in certain circumstances.Oct 7, 2021

Do I have to pay for my wife's divorce lawyer California?

Generally, one spouse can't force the other to pay for their divorce in California. Each spouse pays for their own lawyer and all associated costs.Mar 19, 2020

How much does a divorce cost 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.

Is it better to be the petitioner or the respondent in a divorce?

A petitioner is a person who has initially asked for the divorce. The respondent is the spouse who has received the request. Though you may have amicably agreed to divorce, one of you needs to start the process. ... There is no advantage or disadvantage to being either the petitioner or respondent.Jan 29, 2020

Who pays attorneys fees in divorce California?

Cases between spouses or domestic partners. The law gives people in divorce, legal separation or annulment cases the right to ask the judge to order one side to pay the other side's lawyer's fees (attorney's fees) and costs.

How much do divorce lawyers cost in California?

Average total costs for divorce lawyers in California range from $12,500 to $15,300, but fees are usually lower in cases with no contested divorce issues and higher when cases go to trial. The divorce process in California typically ranges from 8 months for uncontested cases to 18 months or more with disputes.Feb 24, 2020

How is property divided in a divorce in California?

California is a community property state, not an equitable distribution state. This means that any assets or property gained during the course of a marriage belong equally to both spouses and, therefore, the property must be equally divided between the two spouse by the court in a divorce.

Who Pays Legal Fees in a Divorce?

In the majority of divorce cases, each party is responsible for their own legal fees There are a few exceptions to this rule but when you file for divorce, or when your spouse files, you should expect to pay for your own attorney.

Get Expert Legal Counsel from The Doyle Law Group in Raleigh

If you need help navigating your divorce, the team at The Doyle Law Group is here to help. We’ve guided couples through divorce for over 14 years and can help ensure you have the representation you deserve. To schedule your consultation, call us at (919) 301-8843 or fill out our online contact form below.

Do I Need a Divorce Attorney?

You should consider hiring a divorce attorney if you want professional assistance in determining and pursuing ideal outcomes for legal decisions making, parenting time, child support, property and asset division, and spousal support.

Collaborative Divorce is a Peaceful Divorce Option

Divorce litigation can be scary and emotionally draining for you, your spouse, and your children. But it doesn’t have to be that way with collaborative divorce. The collaborative process can result in a less expensive, more efficient, and less harmful outcome for everyone involved.

OUR PROFESSIONALS CAN HELP WITH THE COLLABORATIVE PROCESS IN ARIZONA!

The collaborative divorce process is designed to help people who are willing to work together to make an agreement that benefits the family. Resources that help parents communicate effectively during this process can help them model appropriate behavior for their kids.

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“Need-Based” Attorney Fees

  • If one spouse either does not have access to marital accounts, there are limited liquid marital assets, and/or one spouse makes significantly more than the other, one spouse may request the award of attorney’s fees from the other spouse. If the other spouse does not agree to this, an award of attorney’s fees requires a Court Order.
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“Conduct-Based” Attorney Fees

  • What if one spouse is behaves inappropriately? And doing so unduly increases the time and expense of litigation? If so, the other spouse may seek an award of attorney’s fees for this increased expense. Again, if the other spouse does not agree to this, an award of attorney’s fees requires a Court Order.
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Practical Attorney Fee Issues

  • The possibility that your spouse may pay for your attorney fees does not typically alleviate your responsibility to pay your attorney. In other words, your divorce attorney is working for you, among other things, to get an award for attorney fees. However regardless of whether you receive those fees later, you still owe your attorney for the work he or she does. As an alternative, if there are s…
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