How Much Does a Divorce Cost?

Just as you might have been surprised to find how much weddings cost, the price of a divorce can quickly add up too. Divorce rates can vary from state to state, however, the national divorce rate for 2021 was between 40 and 50%. Given how many marriages end in divorce, couples who are soon-to-be-married may wonder how much does a divorce cost? Although it’s impossible to know exactly how much it would cost, taking a look at the national average cost for a divorce can give you an idea. From resources like FindLaw, although it varies per state you can exp Surprised? If so, you’re not alone. Many Americans know divorce can be costly but may not realize how expensive it can get. Each year, the cost of divorce continues to rise. The cost of divorce has quite a few varying factors, which include your State/location, hiring an attorney, and other factors such as child custody professionals, tax advisors, and other professionals related to divorce disputes. Below, this article will explore the many factors that determine the cost of a divorce. Do I need a Divorce Lawyer? One factor that will impact the cost of your divorce is whether or not you hire a divorce lawyer. Knowing the right thing to do in this situation can be overwhelming. Whether or not you need a divorce attorney depends on the nature of your divorce. If you and your spouse are on the same page, you might be able to negotiate a divorce settlement on your own. However, many couples are not this lucky. Divorce is an extremely complex and emotional legal process, which can present quite a few hurdles. Certain circumstances will certainly require hiring a divorce lawyer. This includes things like child abuse, substance abuse, sexual abuse, power imbalances, custody issues, and more. In turn, this can get costly, making your divorce significantly more expensive. Hiring a lawyer for your divorce also makes the process a bit easier. The divorce lawyer will handle paperwork, negotiations, and other legal matters. However, affording a divorce attorney during a time of havoc can be extremely hard for divorcing couples. According to Nolo, most divorce lawyers request that the first part of the bill is paid at the hourly rate. Based on a survey they performed, they found that the average hourly rate (nationally) for a divorce lawyer was around $270, with about 20% paying over $400 an hour. The variation is due to what location of the country the divorce lawyer practices, as different cities and states have varying costs. Of course, the more experienced lawyer you hire, you can expect this rate to go up. At an hourly rate of somewhere between $200 to $400 an hour, it's not difficult to see how quickly a divorce can become costly. Before the divorce process begins, you may not know exactly how many hours it will take to complete. When budgeting, this can be extremely difficult. Not to mention you and your spouse probably aren’t communicating well at this point. Other Divorce Expenses to Consider In addition to the lawyer’s hourly rate, several other factors go into the total price of a divorce. There may be filing fees to file the paperwork required to proceed with the divorce through the courts. The price to file a divorce petition varies depending on your location. Even within states, the price can vary depending on what county you reside in. To give you an idea, you can expect filing a petition for divorce to cost you somewhere between $100 and $400 (Nolo). Furthermore, there may also be additional court fees depending on your situation. If you have a contested divorce, things can quickly become that much more tricky. A contested divorce is one where one partner in the relationship does not agree on a matter, leading to the need for a judge to make a final decision. A contested divorce ultimately will mean your divorce attorney will work (and bill) more hours. In complicated divorces, hiring experts to help is often needed. These experts often come with their own pricy hourly rates. Divorce is Expensive As you can see, the many things that go into a divorce amount to a costly overall price for a divorce. You may even end up spending half of what you spent on your wedding! Couples going through a complicated divorce, unfortunately, have limited ways to get around these expensive costs associated with a divorce. However, saving money on divorce is possible for couples who can think ahead. While this is not always possible, creating a prenup before you marry is a great idea to help save money if you ever need a divorce. Looking Ahead During a divorce, having a prenuptial agreement in place can make the process go smoothly. It will outline the division of assets, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for negotiations. In fact, couples who begin planning for marriage with a prenup are setting themselves up for a more financially successful marriage. Unfortunately, once you and your partner have already decided on a divorce, it’s too late for a prenup. A prenuptial agreement must be created before two people legally get married. For divorce lawyers who bill hourly, time equals money. Therefore, if you have a prenup in place, you’re going to have fewer billed hours which means more money saved in your pocket. Are you newly engaged and thinking about a prenup? Creating a prenuptial agreement with your partner is a smart financial “insurance” in your future. The price of a prenup (when using HelloPrenup’s affordable online service) at $599 per couple, can save you thousands of dollars if you ever need a divorce. Think of it as an insurance plan, which will help you save money in the long run.