“How much does a divorce cost?” asked the divorce client of their Raleigh divorce lawyer.
“It costs as much as a car” responded the Raleigh attorney.
“What kind of car?” asked the divorcing client.
“What kind of divorce?” asked the lawyer.
Seriously, a divorce can cost as much as a car.
It can be a very high-end expensive car (when the case is extensively litigated and the assets are large) or it can be an inexpensive used car (when the parties are able agree and the issues aren’t complicated.)
Divorces cost as little as a few hundred dollars and as much as a few hundred thousand dollars.
The price really depends on the complexity of the assets and the level of conflict.
What Makes Divorce So Expensive?
There are some factors that make a case more expensive and that expense can’t be avoided. For instance, if the parties own a business it’s going to require some attorney time and energy to deal with the division regardless of how amicable the parties are toward one another. There’s some legal work that’s required.
If, on the other hand, the assets are fairly straight forward and the parties are in agreement on the division then that part of the process can be handled inexpensively. If the parties are also in agreement about arrangements for their children then it’s smooth sailing and there won’t be big checks written to lawyers.
A divorce in Wake County, especially Raleigh, typically costs between $2000 (at the extreme low end) and well over $100,000 (at the extreme high end). The average divorce locally costs between $8,000 and $12,000, so if that’s what you’ve been quoted, you’re in good hands. Do what you can to minimize conflict and your money will stay with you rather than going to your Raleigh divorce lawyer or your ex.
You can also save money by doing your divorce yourself. This obviously can create problems if you’ve chosen to go the litigation route as there is a reason for why lawyers charge so much for it. However, if you and your spouse are divvying up everything amicably and you are well organized and mindful, you may just be able to drastically reduce your costs. We still always recommend at least having a consultation with an attorney so you are more informed as you work through the process.
If you have any questions about the cost of divorce, contact us or call us at (919) 787-6668.
Lee is the founder of Rosen Law Firm and, while retired, still lives on through this website, a huge repository of information to help educate people about family law. It demystifies the divorce process, sharing the secrets and information that other lawyers normally try to keep hidden. Today, this website contains a vast assortment of webinars, legal forms, statutes, Q&As with lawyers, audio and video courses, articles, and lots more.
