Emotionally, the cost of a divorce can be
significant. In monetary terms, the costs vary, and it is
difficult to pinpoint the exact cost, although the average
divorce in the United States costs approximately
$30,000. Many factors go into determining this cost,
however, and your divorce may cost more or less than that
amount. Once a divorce is final, there are even more
costs, depending on what you lose in the divorce. You may
need to buy a new house or a new car or re-establish credit in
your own name, which can mean buying things and paying them off
over time.
The cheapest divorce is the one in which there
are no children involved and no assets or few assets and
agreement on how they should be divided. Such cases
may be able to be decided by a mediator. The most
expensive divorces are usually the ones in which children are
involved. In these cases, emotions run high, and outside
experts may be required to help determine who should gain
custody of the children. Experts cost money, increasing
the cost of the divorce.
In most cases, a divorce lawyer is going to
require a retainer, and these usually run from $5,000 to
$10,000. Since most divorce attorneys charge up to $500
per hour, depending on their experience and the part of the
country in which you live, that retainer will not last
long. Divorces are complicated and can drag out, so
expect to pay at least double the amount of the retainer before
the divorce is final. You may end up paying much more than
that if your ex decides to fight you on every single item you
own. Divorce outcomes are not automatic - you may assume
that you will get 50% of everything, but that is not always the
case. And if you are the mother of children involved in
the divorce, do not assume that you will automatically gain
custody. More and more courts are considering the rights
of fathers when it comes to custody these days.
Remember that a divorce takes a deep emotional
toll on everyone involved. That is the true cost of a
divorce. You will not be the same person you where before
the divorce, mentally, spiritually or financially. Your
children will suffer and be affected for the rest of their lives
by the decisions you make now. Think long and hard
before going down the divorce road. But if you decide that
it is the only course of action, then talk
to one of our representatives. We'll put you in touch
with a local, reputable divorce attorney. Our rates are very
reasonable. We've helped thousands of people get the legal
assistance they need, and we can help you, too.
If you are thinking of a do-it-yourself-divorce,
try online divorce forms. These are for people without children and who have few assets.