There are many variables that go into the cost of a divorce, but it’s not uncommon for each spouse to spend $5,000 or more to go through and finish a divorce. When going through a divorce, there are other fees not including fees for a divorce attorney. Some of the other fees that may be incurred which make divorces costly are:
- Filing fees with the county courthouse
- Co-parenting classes
- Mediation
- Possible psychiatric evaluations for adults and/or children
- Mortgage refinancing
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, these are some of the things that should be kept in mind when considering the costs of a divorce.
Uncontested vs. Contested Divorces
Uncontested divorces are basically friendly divorces. Both parties know they want to separate and have already agreed. Generally, uncontested divorces are much less expensive than contested divorces.
In a contested divorce, both parties are at odds about potentially everything, from the divorce itself, to how much time children will share with each parent, to pets, houses, cars, etc. These divorces can become very long and drawn-out ordeals which are costly to both parties in terms of finances, as well as mental and physical health.
Average Fees for a St. Petersburg, FL Divorce Lawyer
Fees charged by divorce attorneys vary from state to state and city to city. Like other legal matters, most attorneys charge an hourly rate which can vary from as little as $300 an hour to upwards of $500 an hour or more, depending upon their experience and the complexities of the case. It’s important to do your homework on whom it is you’re looking to hire to ensure they may be a good fit for your case.
At Plotnick Law, we offer a complimentary initial consultation so we can understand the basics of your case and offer the best advice possible based upon the information we’ve been provided. We’ve worked a wide variety of divorce cases including complex cases involving high-net-worth individuals, and highly contested cases involving children.
We understand how costly divorce proceedings can be. Therefore, we offer some flexibility in terms of payment plans to our clients. These are done on a case-by-case basis.
Why are attorney’s fees so much?
There is a myriad of factors that can contribute to increased hours worked on a case, which in turn adds to the cost of a divorce. Some of them include:
- Child custody issues
- Property and Assets
- Taxes and other financial advice/implications
- Alimony
Think about your personal situation when trying to figure out how much it might cost you to go through a divorce.
- Do You Have Children?
- Do you and your spouse own a lot of property?
- Do you both work, or is one spouse the breadwinner, and the other a stay-at-home parent?
- Do you have pets?
These issues and many more can become the lynchpin for long and costly divorce proceedings. If you answered yes to any of these questions above, and don’t see eye to eye with your spouse, you are likely in for a bumpy ride.
That’s okay though. The attorneys at Plotnick Law have handled some of the most contested cases that anyone can imagine, and we work hard to make sure you come out where you want to in the end.
Can You Get a Divorce Without Any Money?
Although divorce costs seem overwhelming, don’t lose hope that divorce is not attainable. Don’t refuse to get a divorce just because it feels unaffordable.
At Plotnick Law, we offer payment plans on a case-by-case basis for our clients.
There are other methods that may be able to reduce your divorce costs. Some of them include:
- Discussing tactics to reduce time in court
- Resolving issues through mediation
- Limited scope representation
Call attorneys Marc Plotnick and Paul Horning of Plotnick Law Firm at (727) 619-1827 if you need representation in a dissolution or post-dissolution matter.