Did you know that 50% of first marriages in the US end in divorce? If you think that’s bad, you’d be surprised to learn that 63% of second marriages also end in divorce.
Divorce is not only heavy on the heart but also heavy on the pockets too. If you’re ending a marriage, it’s normal to be apprehensive about the uncertain future. One of the most pressing questions is, “how much does a divorce cost?”
While there’s no one-off answer to this question, you can form a ballpark estimate by accounting for all the various divorce costs. This will help aid your financial preparation for the inevitable.
Join us today as we take a deep dive into the factors that affect how much a divorce costs.
The State Where You’re Divorcing
Different states have different divorce laws, and these laws can impact divorce proceedings and divorce costs. For example, divorce proceedings are quicker in some states than in others. The longer a divorce proceeding drags on, the more expensive it’s likely to be.
Some states also require mandatory divorce counseling before a divorce can be finalized. This divorce counseling can add to the cost of a divorce.
States also have different laws about how marital property is divided during a divorce, which directly affects the divorce cost.
Whether You Hire a Lawyer
You don’t need a lawyer to get a divorce, but divorce proceedings can be complex. If you have a lot of assets or property, hiring a divorce lawyer shouldn’t be up for debate.
Lawyers charge between $200 and $300 per hour, which is far from cheap. While the lawyer’s fees might be expensive, they’ll help you retain most of your assets after the divorce. You may save on the lawyer’s fees but lose a lot more.
Whether You Have Children
Children further complicate the divorce process and add to the cost of the divorce. The court will decide child custody arrangements and also calculate child support payments.
But generally, divorce proceedings that involve children tend to be more expensive and more.
Whether You Opt for Mediation or a Collaborative Divorce
Mediation and collaborative divorce are two divorce processes that can help you save on divorce costs.
With mediation, both parties meet with a mediator, who helps them come to an agreement about the divorce. With collaborative divorce, both parties have their own lawyers but work together to come to an agreement.
Both mediation and collaborative divorce can help you save on divorce costs because they’re often quicker than traditional divorce proceedings. You’ll still need a divorce lawyer to keep you from getting the short end of the stick.
How Much Does a Divorce Cost?
As mentioned earlier, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, the information above should help you form a rough estimate of the cost of your divorce. Remember, the more complex your divorce is, the more expensive it’s likely to be.
A reputable divorce lawyer can help you save a bundle, especially on child support and alimony issues. That way, you don’t end up with scrap after your divorce.
We hope you have the answer to your question, “how much does a divorce cost?” For more informative content, check out the other posts on the site.