FAQs Divorce

This is a difficult question to answer without knowing more about your matter. The cost of a divorce varies significantly depending on various factors such as the complexity of the case, if it is an amicable divorce, or highly contested, and the attorney’s fee structure.

It is essential to discuss fees and costs upfront with your attorney. Don’t be shy in asking questions about how services are charged and billed. We recommend asking how far an initial retainer paid may go in the case and how subsequent requests for payments are managed.

Review your bill each month, when received. If you disagree with any of the charges, please discuss with the attorney or firm administrator at the time of receipt.

Overall, the total cost of your divorce will depend on your specific circumstances and the approach taken by yourself, your spouse, your attorney, and your spouse’s attorney.

Divorce or child-related matters do not need to be expensive. Over the years we have found several strategies for clients to reduce the cost of attorney’s fees, such as:

Be Organized: Gather all necessary documents and information related to your case, such as financial records, assets, and debts, before you meet with your attorney.

Be Responsive: Providing necessary documents when first requested can save time, which translates into money.

Set Time for Questions: Keep a list of questions and concerns and then set a time to talk about the questions and concerns with your attorney. This is more efficient than asking each question or addressing each concern as they come up.

Set Realistic Goals: Takes some time to determine what is a priority and what is not a priority as it relates to your matter. Review this list with your attorney to determine if your priorities are realistic expectations.

Utilize Technology: Take advantage of technology for communication and document sharing to streamline the process and reduce administrative costs. For our firm, we send a link for clients to upload their documents directly into our filing system. Client’s that utilize the system save money than those that do not.

Prior to determining what you need, you should first choose what process you will use for a divorce. Once you determine your process, you can decide what type of professionals you believe will work best for your situation.

A mediator is a great option to try and work out a settlement with your spouse. The drawback is that mediators cannot provide you with legal advice and cannot ensure that your paperwork is complete and accurate. A better solution is to use a mediator to work out a settlement and use an attorney to review the paperwork and settlement to ensure it complies with all Court requirements and that it is fair and reasonable for you. An attorney can also explain to you the legal terms and significance of the agreement.

While cost should be a consideration, it should not be the sole consideration. At 5280 Law Group we often work with mediators and assist clients in the background to help keep their costs down.