The divorce rate for couples in the U.S. is somewhere between 40% – 50%. If you are in a marriage that’s heading towards a divorce, you may need to hire an attorney.
Even in the most friendly divorces, there are many issues to be dealt with. There are decisions that need to be made and they can be emotional. The support of an attorney will make sure that you get what you deserve.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost? Read on to discover what a divorce attorney costs and the main factors that matter the most.
How Much Does a Divorce Lawyer Cost?
Let’s get right to it. A divorce attorney could cost about $250 an hour. There are a number of factors that make up the cost of divorce.
Are there a lot of assets that need to be split up? If there are, then you should expect to pay more. There is more paperwork and negotiation that has to occur to divide all of the assets.
Is your divorce a contentious divorce? Divorces that are contentious will require more court appearances, which will also drive up the cost of the divorce attorney.
Are there children involved in the divorce? A custody arrangement may present some issues if the couple can’t agree on an arrangement that works for everyone involved.
Other factors include mediation, depositions, hiring experts, and time to be at custody hearings and evaluations. These factors may not be included in every divorce, but if they are, then you should expect to pay quite a bit for your divorce.
Flat Fee vs. Hourly Rate
You’ll find that attorneys will charge a flat rate or they’ll charge an hourly rate. Flat fees can be as low as $500 for a very basic divorce with no assets.
That flat fee could be several thousand dollars, depending on the circumstances of the divorce and how many factors are present.
At an hourly rate, how much the attorney will cost depends on how much time they have to spend on your case.
You may see that the average cost of a divorce is about $15,000. That’s not just for the divorce lawyer. That’s the total cost of the divorce, including real estate appraisals, attorneys, child custody evaluators, and more.
Finding a Good Divorce Lawyer
Now that you know what to expect to pay, how do you find a good divorce attorney? Start by asking around. You’re bound to get a few good referrals.
You’ll want to gather your documentation and information pertaining to the divorce. Book consultations with several different attorneys to review your case.
They’ll look over the details, ask questions, and give you a ballpark number as to the costs of the divorce. They’ll also go over their process in handling divorces.
The Cost of a Divorce
It’s unfortunate that many marriages end up in divorce. With a good divorce attorney for men, you can make sure that your rights are protected throughout the process.
How much does a divorce lawyer cost? It depends on many factors. You should expect that attorneys will charge a flat rate or an hourly rate.
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