How Much Does Attorney Cost For Divorce?
If you’re in the process of filing for divorce, it’s important to understand how much attorney cost for your case. Having an idea of what you’re paying for can help you make informed decisions about whether you want to hire an attorney and what services are included in their fees.
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Regardless of how complicated your case is, you should be prepared to spend at least $5,000 in attorney fees. This includes an initial retainer fee and fees for all work performed by the lawyer. Depending on your situation, you may also have to pay for child custody evaluations and other related costs.
It’s Not Always Easy to Find a Good Attorney at a Fair Price
Professional rates are often very difficult to calculate because they depend on experience and reputation. Some lawyers charge a flat fee that covers everything, while others only charge for specific tasks. Choosing a lawyer with a fair hourly rate is an essential first step in finding a qualified, affordable attorney for your case.
Divorce attorneys typically start out by charging a retainer to get your case started. This can range from $3,000 to $5,000 per spouse, and it’s important to remember that it’s a recurring fee.
After the retainer is spent, your attorney will continue to bill you based on time spent working on your case. This can include drafting letters and documents, conducting research, responding to client e-mails and phone calls, and attending court hearings.
Your attorney’s hourly rate will vary based on how complex your case is, and it will be influenced by the type of issues that need to be resolved. Some issues, such as dividing property or custody, can take longer to resolve, which can cause the fees to increase.
You can save money by hiring an unbundled lawyer who only handles some of the aspects of your case, such as transferring the marital home or calculating support payments. This can save you thousands of dollars in upfront legal fees compared to hiring an expensive divorce attorney who can handle your entire case.
In cases where you and your spouse cannot agree on custody or other issues, a judge may order a child custody evaluation or appoint a third-party child attorney. Depending on the evaluation’s findings, you may have to pay the psychologist who performed the evaluation or the third-party attorney.
Mediation Can Cut Divorce Costs
If you and your spouse are able to work out the details of your divorce by yourself, mediation can be an inexpensive way to save on attorney fees. It can also help you avoid going to trial, which is another significant expense that increases divorce costs.
The cost of mediation can be surprisingly affordable, and you can get a mediator for as little as $100 to $250 per session. In addition, it is a great way to save money on divorce attorney fees when your case reaches trial because you can use a neutral mediator instead of going to court.