How Much Does Divorce Cost?

Divorce can be expensive, and the true cost is more than financial. If you’ve determined that your marriage cannot be saved, you may be better able to contain costs with a collaborative divorce.

Average Cost of Divorce

You can expect the legal fees for a straightforward divorce in Arizona with routine court proceedings to average around $5,000 to $10,000. If you have parental fitness issues, a higher net worth/property that is to be divided or a dispute related to spousal maintenance, your case may be more complicated, which means it will likely cost more. And for couples who simply cannot come to an agreement and need a judge to decide one or more issues, costs could reach as high as $50,000 or more!

Uncontested Divorce Cost

In Maricopa County, the filing fee for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is currently $349. Other counties set their own fees. However, if you plan on hiring a divorce lawyer or mediator you can expect to pay $200 to $500 per hour depending on where you live, experience of the lawyer, and other factors.

Contested Divorce Cost

According to Nolo, the average total for reaching a comprehensive settlement on any disputes was about $10,600. For those who took their divorce to trial on one issue spent around $20,379 and those that took their divorce to trial on two or more issues spent about $23,300. These costs can be considerably higher depending on the complexity of the legal issues, the hourly rates of the attorneys and the amount of time it takes to either resolve the case or bring it to trial

Divorce Mediation Cost

Mediation is usually less expensive than a traditional/litigated divorce and often helps the parties reach full agreements. You can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $500 per hour to hire a private mediator for divorce mediation services. Mediators typically charge similar rates to attorneys.

Collaborative Divorce Cost

Collaborative divorce can be more cost-effective than traditional divorce.

Divorce litigation can be extremely expensive, with lawyer fees ranging from a few thousand dollars to well over a hundred thousand dollars per party in complex cases. Although every case is different, couples who use the collaborative divorce process often spent a fraction of the legal fees that might be incurred for complex litigation. Also, most collaborative divorces can be completed in significantly less time than their litigated counterparts.

Unexpected Divorce Costs

Not only will you need to pay lawyer fees, court costs, and other divorce related expenses, but you will also want to think about the bigger picture after divorce. How much will it cost you to move? How much will it cost you to get a new cell phone plan? How much debt will you have to pay? A story shared by Business Insider goes shares how one woman ended up spending around $17, 695 on costs related to her divorce, with only $225 of it being spent on filing for the divorce and court fees.

She says, “Looking back, I would suggest that someone looking at filing for divorce speak with a financial counselor and make sure that their budget, disposable income, and potential roadblocks are all clearly discussed and considered before trying to move forward.”

The role of a financial neutral in a collaborative divorce is to compile and disseminate information about the family’s current and anticipated financial circumstances. By ensuring that both spouses have access to information regarding the nature and extent of their “marital estate,” the financial neutral can help the divorcing couple make informed decisions and work toward an agreement that works for both parties, both now and in the future.

Collaborative Divorce is a Peaceful Divorce Option

Divorce litigation can be scary and emotionally draining for you, your spouse, and your children. But it doesn’t have to be that way with collaborative divorce. The collaborative process can result in a less expensive, more efficient, and less harmful outcome for everyone involved. One of the legal, financial, and communication professionals at Best Legal Choices can help you navigate this difficult time in your life.